Standard and Guidelines for rapid pile load test Rapid pile load tests: cheaper and more reliable

What is it?
There is a large need for cheap and reliable methods to measure the actual bearing capacity of piles. The rapid pile load test is one such inexpensive method. Using this draft Standard, the rapid pile load test can be carried out reliably and will fall under the European standards in near future. The Guidelines describe widely applicable interpretation methods (including a manual explaining its interpretation), in the form of an English-language CUR guideline that links up with Eurocode 7 and forms the basis for a National annex.

Available results
• A (draft) standard within the Eurocode 7 for performing a rapid pile load test.
• A guideline for interpreting a rapid pile load test.
• A database for validating the calculation method.
The knowledge gained is incorporated in the PAO course 'Eurocode 7: Geotechnology' and in the PAO course 'Piled foundations for civil structures'.

Who will be interested?
Principals, engineering consultants, building contractors, supervisory bodies, and insurers.

More information
Paul Hoelscher at Deltares
Frits van Tol at Deltares