Piles for Marquette University Math Building

This paper presents a comparison of static pile capacity predictions using CPT cone resistance results with results of a test pile program and production pile driving. Pile capacity prediction methods suggested by Vesic' (1977) and Poulos (1989) were used. The pile testing program involved four piles which were restruck at 1 day and 13 days after initial driving. Pile capacities at end-of-driving and during restrucking were determined by wave equation analyses of measured penetration resistances. In addition, a pile driving analyzer was used to record stress-waves during restriking on the 13th day. CAPWP analyses were performed on selected blows. A static compression pile load test was performed on one of the test piles on the 12th day after initial driving. A comparison of results shows that the Vesic' method pile capacities agree well with the load test results. The Poulos method agree adequately, but underpredicted the pile capacities. The results show that CPT testing can be successfully used to predict pile capacities in glacial till deposits provided that CPT cone can be pushed to at least the expected pile depths.