4.1 This test method will provide a relationship between time to failure, creep rate, and displacement to failure for specific failure loads at specific test temperatures as well as a relationship between creep rate and applied load at specific test temperatures for loads less than failure loads.

4.2 Pile design for specific soil temperatures may be controlled by either limiting long-term stress to below long-term strength or by limiting allowable settlement over the design life of the structure. It is the purpose of this test method to provide the basic information from which the limiting strength or long-term settlement may be evaluated by geotechnical engineers.

4.3 Data derived from pile tests at specific ground temperatures that differ from the design temperatures must be corrected to the design temperature by the use of data from additional pile tests, laboratory soil strength tests, or published correlations, if applicable, to provide a suitable means of correction.

4.4 For driven piles or grouted piles, failure will occur at the pile/soil interface. For slurry piles, failure can occur at either the pile/slurry interface or the slurry/soil interface, depending on the strength and deformation properties of the slurry material and the adfreeze bond strength. Location of the failure surface must be taken into account in the design of the test program and in the interpretation of the test results. Dynamic loads must be evaluated separately.

Note 1: The quality of the results produced by application of this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 The test methods described in this standard measure the axial deflection of a vertical or inclined deep foundation when loaded in static axial compression. These methods apply to all deep foundations, referred to herein as piles, that function in a manner similar to driven piles or cast-in-place piles, regardless of their method of installation, and may be used for testing single piles or pile groups. The test results may not represent the long-term performance of a deep foundation.

1.2 This standard provides minimum requirements for testing deep foundations under static axial compressive load. Plans, specifications, and/or provisions prepared by a qualified engineer may provide additional requirements and procedures as needed to satisfy the objectives of a particular test program. The engineer in responsible charge of the foundation design, referred to herein as the Engineer, shall approve any deviations, deletions, or additions to the requirements of this standard.

1.3 This standard allows the following test procedures:

Procedure A

Quick Test

8.1.2

Procedure B

Maintained Test (Optional)

8.1.3

Procedure C

Loading in Excess of Maintained Test (Optional)

8.1.4

Procedure D

Constant Time Interval Test (Optional)

8.1.5

Procedure E

Constant Rate of Penetration Test (Optional)

8.1.6

Procedure F

Constant Movement Increment Test (Optional)

8.1.7

Procedure G

Cyclic Loading Test (Optional)

8.1.8

1.4 Apparatus and procedures herein designated “optional” may produce different test results and may be used only when approved by the Engineer. The word “shall” indicates a mandatory provision, and the word “should” indicates a recommended or advisory provision. Imperative sentences indicate mandatory provisions.

1.5 A qualified geotechnical engineer should interpret the test results obtained from the procedures of this standard so as to predict the actual performance and adequacy of piles used in the constructed foundation. See Appendix X1 for comments regarding some of the factors influencing the interpretation of test results.

1.6 A qualified engineer shall design and approve all loading apparatus, loaded members, support frames, and test procedures. The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard. This standard also includes illustrations and appendixes intended only for explanatory or advisory use.

1.7 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.8 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound [lbf] represents a unit of force [weight], while the unit for mass is slugs. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic [F=ma] calculations are involved.

1.9 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.10 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard is beyond its scope.

1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 9.

1.12 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.