Safety Factor Evaluation for Single Piles in Sand

Probability theory is used in conjunction with extensive results from field tests to develop a formal design procedure for widely spaced piles in sandy soils. Through the use of Bayes' theorem a method is developed that provides, in the design process, for a consistent joint consideration of both the soil exploration data and the results of pile load tests. Cornell's second-moment first-order method is used to permit calibration of the procedure with existing practice and a table of safety factor values is computed on this basis. In addition to their direct design application the results provide useful assistance for optimization of the pile load test requirements for specific projects.