Importance of Proof-Load Tests in Foundation Reliability

Proof-load tests play an important role in verifying the validity of design methods and construction procedures. Recently, there has been considerable interest in maximizing the value of proof-load tests in foundation design within a reliability-based framework. The objectives of this paper are to (1) illustrate how static proof-load tests can affect the reliability and design of a tested foundation, (2) discuss the effect of uncertainty in the measured proof load on the calculated reliability, and (3) study how the results of proof-load tests conducted on a limited number of foundations using relatively small proof loads can be utilized to update the tail of the capacity distribution. Results indicate that proof loads can result in a significant increase in the reliability for a foundation, even when the proof load is significantly smaller than the predicted capacity.