Prediction of load-carrying capacity of driven piles

Two methods are presented to estimate the load-carrying capacity of driven piles. These methods use a new wave equation model that incorporates the loss of energy to the soil mass through radiation damping of the soil. Conventional soil parameters are used in this new model. Both methods use the load-test result of a test pile to estimate the soil parameters at the site by set matching. These soil parameters are then used to predict the load-carrying capacity of similar piles at the site in subsequent analyses from set measurements. The two methods are demonstrated by the prediction of the load-carrying capacity of 21 piles at four sites.