Dr.

J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

Assignment 4 on Unit 4 (Deep Foundation)

[Answers]
Q.1. Short answer type questions:
a) List different types of deep foundation.
Answer: ⇒ Types of Deep Foundation
• Pile foundation: It can be defined as a slender column or long cylinder made of concrete or steel, which
supports structure by transferring load at desired depth either by end bearing or skin friction.
• Pier foundation: A pier is a vertical column of a relatively larger cross-section than a pile. The pile foundations
transfer the load through friction and bearing, pier foundations transfer the load only through the bearing.
Generally, the pier foundation is shallower in-depth than the pile foundation. If the driving of a bearing pile is
very difficult, a pier foundation is conveniently constructed.
• Well foundation: It is large-diameter foundation constructed in underwater conditions such as bridge
foundations in rivers. It transmits the load of the superstructure through the layer of weak soil to a firm stratum
at significant depth. Well Foundations are mainly utilized to support bridge piers and abutments.
b) Mention various kinds of piles based on their application.
Answer: ⇒ Types of pile foundation

Criteria Types
End-bearing piles
Friction piles
Function or Application

Tension or uplift piles

Compaction piles
Based on

Anchor piles
Fender piles
Pile foundation

Sheet pile
Batter piles
Laterally-loaded piles
Timber pile
Based on
Material

Steel pile
Concrete pile
Composite pile
Driven pile
Installation
Based on

Cast-in-situ pile
Driven and cast-in-situ pile (Franki pile)

Page 1 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

c) Differentiate between end bearing pile and friction pile.

Answer: ⇒ Difference between end bearing pile and friction pile.:
End bearing pile Friction pile

When piles transfer load of the building through a soft When piles transfer the loads only by means of skin
soil stratum to a suitable bearing stratum at greater resistance without any end bearing then the piles are
depths then it is called a bearing pile called as friction piles.

Load is taken by the friction developed between side

The load is taken by the hard strata.
surface of the pile and surrounding ground
Hard strata are essentially required Hard strata are not essentially required

𝑊𝐻
d) Name the parameters designated by Q, W, H and F in Engineering News Formula: 𝑄 = 𝐹(𝑠+𝑐).
Answer: ⇒
𝑾𝑯
Parameters in Engineering News Formula: 𝑸 = 𝑭(𝒔+𝒄).
Designation Name Unit
Q Safe load kg
W Weight of hammer kg
H Height of fall cm
F Factor of safety –

𝜂ℎ 𝑊𝐻𝜂𝑏
e) What is designated by 𝜂ℎ and 𝜂𝑏 in Modified Hiley Formula: 𝑄𝑢 = 𝑐 . Write units for W and H.
𝐹(𝑠+ )
2
Answer: ⇒
𝜼𝒉 𝑾𝑯𝜼𝒃
𝜼𝒉 and 𝜼𝒃 in Modified Hiley Formula: 𝑸𝒖 = 𝒄
𝑭(𝒔+ )
𝟐

Designation Name Unit

𝜂ℎ Efficiency of hammer %
𝜂𝑏 Efficiency of hammer blow %
W Weight of hammer kg
H Height of fall cm

Page 2 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

f) List the names of all the parameters (𝑄𝑢 , 𝑞𝑓 , 𝐴𝑓 , 𝑞𝑏 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴𝑏 ) used in the Static Formula: 𝑄𝑢 = 𝑞𝑓 𝐴𝑓 + 𝑞𝑏 𝐴𝑏 .
Answer: ⇒

Parameters used in the Static Formula: 𝑸𝒖 = 𝒒𝒇 𝑨𝒇 + 𝒒𝒃 𝑨𝒃

Designation Name SI unit

𝑄𝑢 Ultimate load bearing capacity kN
𝑞𝑓 Average unit skin friction kN/m2
𝐴𝑓 Surrounding surface area of pile on which the skin friction acts m2
𝑞𝑏 Point bearing resistance of the pile tip kN/m2
𝐴𝑏 Cross sectional area of the pile at its tip m2

g) Write a short note on negative friction on a pile.

Answer: ⇒Negative skin friction (NSF) is a downward drag force exerted on pile by the soil surrounding it. When skin
friction is acting downwards it would decrease the pile capacity. The NSF could be a major problem in some sites. By
definition, if the pile settles faster than the adjacent soil, the skin friction is positive; if the soil settles faster than the pile,
the skin friction is negative. NSF occurs along the pile shaft if installed in settling soils like newly placed fill material and
would induce additional vertical load and settlement on the pile. In severe case, it may lead to structural failure of the
pile. NSF can be computed as follows:
(𝒊)𝑸𝒏𝒔𝒇 = 𝑷. 𝒄. 𝑳𝒇 for cohesive soil
𝟏
(ii) 𝑸𝒏𝒔𝒇 = 𝑳𝒇 𝟐 𝑷𝜸𝑲 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜹 for cohesionless soil
𝟐

Where P = Perimter of the Pile, c = Average cohesion of soil, Lf = Thickness of soil which moves downward,
γ = Unit wieght of soil, K = Coeffiecient of lateral earth pressure, δ = Angle of friction on pile

𝜃 (𝑛−1)𝑚+(𝑚−1)𝑛
h) Based on Converse-Labarre formula: 𝜂𝑔 = [1 − 90 { 𝑚𝑛
}] × 100, calculate group efficiency (𝜂𝑔 ) of a pile

group with 9 number of 50 cm dia piles arranged in 3 rows with a centre to centre spacing of 1m.
𝜃 (𝑛−1)𝑚+(𝑚−1)𝑛
Answer: ⇒ Group efficiency = 𝜂𝑔 = [1 − 90 { 𝑚𝑛
}] × 100
𝑑 50
Where 𝜃 = tan−1 ( 𝑠 ) = tan−1 (100) = 26.57° (d = diameter of pile and s = centre to centre spacing of pile)

n = number of piles in a row = 3 and m = number of rows = 3

26.57 (3−1)×3+(3−1)×3
⸫ Group efficiency = 𝜂𝑔 = [1 − 90
{ 3×3
}] × 100 = 𝟔𝟎. 𝟔𝟑% (Ans.)

i) According to Skempton, compute the end bearing resistance of a 60 cm diameter pile driven in a cohesive soil having
cohesion of 10 kN/m2.
Answer: ⇒ According to Skempton, pile end bearing resistance = 𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 𝐴𝑏
Where, 𝑞𝑏 = 9𝑐 = 9 × 10 = 90 10 kN/m2 (c = soil cohesion)
𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑏 = Cross sectional area of the pile at its tip = 4 𝑑2 = 4 × 0.62 = 0.283 m2 (d = pile diameter = 0.6 m)

⸫ pile end bearing resistance = 𝑄𝑏 = 𝑞𝑏 𝐴𝑏 = 90 × 0.283 = 𝟐𝟓. 𝟒𝟕 kN (Ans.)

Page 3 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

j) Compute the magnitude of the negative skin friction for a 750 cm diameter pile driven in a cohesive soil which tends to
move downwards. The soil has an average cohesion of 15 kN/m2.
Answer: ⇒ Magnitude of the negative skin friction per unit depth of soil 𝑄𝑛𝑠𝑓 = 𝑃. 𝑐. 𝐿𝑓 for cohesive soil
Where, P = perimeter of pile shaft 𝜋𝑑 = 3.14 × 0.75 = 2.35 m, c = soil cohesion = 15 kN/m2 and 𝑳𝒇 = depth of soil
through which the pile is driven = 10 m
⸫ 𝑄𝑛𝑠𝑓 = 𝑃. 𝑐. 𝐿𝑓 = 2.35 × 15 × 10 = 𝟑𝟓𝟐. 𝟓 kN (Ans.)
k) What is well foundation?
Answer: ⇒ Well foundation: It is large-diameter foundation constructed in underwater conditions such as
bridge foundations in rivers. It transmits the load of the superstructure through the layer of weak soil to a firm
stratum at significant depth. Well Foundations are mainly utilized to support bridge piers and abutments.
l) Write down the advantages and disadvantages of the well foundation.
Answer: ⇒ The advantages of the well foundation are as follow.
• It can withstand large lateral loads and moments which occur in bridge piers, abutments, towers, and tall chimneys.
• It can withstand the reaction of scouring due to its large cross-sectional area.
• It decreases vibrations and has limited noise because the foundation is based on piers
• There is no requirement for a pile cap, since the piers are filled with concrete.
• The cost of drilling and establishing a well or caisson is less as compared to a conventional foundation.
• They are easily adaptable in different site situations. It is simple to put well or caisson at any place.
• Comparable to piles they are shorter.
The advantages of the well foundation are as follow.
• It cannot be constructed in contaminated areas to avoid further contamination due to the high amount of drilling.
• Well qualified professionals are essential to construct this type of foundation.
• Skilled workers are not easily available to construct this type of foundation.
m) List the types of the well foundation based on structural shape and formation.
Answer: ⇒ Types of pile foundation

Criteria Types
Rectangular well foundation
Square well foundation
Double D well foundation
Well foundation/caisson

structural shape

Circular well foundation

Based on

Hexagonal well foundation

Octagonal well foundation
Twin Circular well foundation
Twin hexagonal well foundation
Double octagonal well foundation
Open caissons
formation
structural
Based on

Box caissons
Pneumatic caissons

Page 4 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

n) Mention various horizontal and vertical forces which might act on well foundation and considered for its design.

The forces which might act on well foundation and considered for its design
Horizontal forces Vertical forces
Force due to water current Force due to self-weight
Seismic force Force due to buoyancy
Force due to wind Force due to dead load of the superstructure
Earth pressure Force due to dead load of the bearing and piers
Centrifugal force Force due to live load of transferred through piers
Force due to brake applied by moving vehicles
Force developed due thermal expansion or contraction

Q.2 Long answer type questions:

a) A timber pile is being driven under 1 m of free fall of a drop hammer weighing 20 kN. The penetration of pile in the
𝑊𝐻
last five blows are 30 mm. Determine the load carrying capacity of the pile using Engineer News formula: 𝑄 = 𝐹(𝑠+𝑐)

where c is 2.5 cm for the drop hammer. Assume 3 as the factor of safety.
Solution: ⇒ Based on Engineer News formula,
𝑊𝐻
The load carrying capacity of the pile = 𝑄 = 𝐹(𝑠+𝑐)

Where, W = weight of hammer = 20 kN,

H = free fall of hammer = 1 m = 100 cm,
F = factor of safety = 3,
30 𝑚𝑚
s = average penetration for last 5 blows = = 0.6 cm and
5

c = 2.5 cm of pile penetration if there were no energy loss

𝑊𝐻 20×100
⸫ The load carrying capacity of the pile = 𝑄 = 𝐹(𝑠+𝑐) = 3×(6+2.5) = 𝟏𝟎𝟕. 𝟓 kN (Ans.)

b) A RCC 30 cm diameter pile of 18 m overall length is driven into a deep stratum of soft clay having an unconfined
compression strength (𝑞𝑢 ) of 35 kN/m2. Determine safe load that can be carried by the pile with a factor of safety of 3.
Solution: ⇒
The ultimate load carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑢 = 𝑞𝑓 𝐴𝑓 + 𝑞𝑏 𝐴𝑏 = 𝛼𝑐𝐴𝑓 + 9𝑐𝐴𝑏
Where, 𝛼 = adhesion faction = 0.95 (given) and
𝑞𝑢 35
We know 𝑐 = 2
= 2
= 17.5 kN/m2 (As 𝑞𝑢 = 35 kN/m2 is given)

𝐴𝑓 = surrounding surface area of pile = 𝜋𝑑𝐻 = 3.14 × 0.3 × 18 = 16.95 m2

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑏 = Cross sectional area of the pile at its tip = 4 𝑑 2 = 4 × 0.32 = 0.0706 m2

(As d = pile diameter = 30 cm = 0.3 m and pile height = 18 m are given)

⸫ The ultimate load carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑢 = 𝛼𝑐𝐴𝑓 + 9𝑐𝐴𝑏
⇒ 𝑄𝑢 = 0.95 × 17.5 × 16.95 + 9 × 17.5 × 0.0706 = 292.9 kN
𝑄𝑢 292.9
Hence, the required safe load that can be carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑎 = = = 𝟗𝟕. 𝟔 kN (Ans.)
3 3

Page 5 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

c) A smooth RCC pile of 40 cm diameter and 15 m length is driven into a deep stratum of dry, loose sand having a unit
weight (𝛾) of 16 kN/m3 and an angle of internal friction of 25°. Determine safe load which can carried by the pile.
Vesic’s bearing capacity factor 𝑁𝑞 = 5.3 for ∅ = 25°.
Solution: ⇒

The ultimate load carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑢 = ̅̅̅𝐾

𝑞𝑎 𝑠 tan 𝛿 𝐴𝑓 + 3𝑞𝑁𝑞 𝐴𝑏

𝑞 240
Where, ̅̅̅
𝑞𝑎 = = = 120 kN/m2 (As 𝑞 = 𝛾𝑍 = 16 × 15 = 240 kN/m2)
2 2

𝐾𝑠 = 0.5 for loose dry sand

tan 𝛿 = tan(0.76 × 25°) = 0.344

𝑞 = 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 = 𝛾𝑍 = 16 × 15 = 240 kN/m2

𝑁𝑞 = 5.3

𝐴𝑓 = surrounding surface area of pile = 𝜋𝑑𝐻 = 3.14 × 0.4 × 15 = 18.84 m2

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑏 = Cross sectional area of the pile at its tip = 4 𝑑 2 = 4 × 0.42 = 0.1256 m2

⸫ The ultimate load carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑢 = 120 × 0.5 × 0.344 × 18.84 + 3 × 240 × 5.3 × 0.1256

⇒ 𝑄𝑢 = 0.95 × 17.5 × 16.95 + 9 × 17.5 × 0.0706 = 868.14 kN

𝑄𝑢 868.14
Hence, the required safe load that can be carried by the pile = 𝑄𝑎 = = = 𝟐𝟖𝟗. 𝟑𝟖 kN (Ans.)
3 3

d) A group of 20 piles, each having a diameter of 40 cm and length of 10 m, are arranged in 4 rows at spacing of 1 m c/c.
The capacity of each individual pile is 380 kN. Determine the group capacity of the piles. Consider Los Angeles formula
for calculating group efficiency 𝜂𝑔 .
Solution: ⇒ The group capacity of the piles = 𝑄𝑔 = 𝑛. 𝑄𝑢 . 𝜂𝑔
Where, 𝑄𝑢 = capacity of individual pile = 380 kN (given)
n = number of piles = 20
𝑑
𝜂𝑔 = group efficiency = 1 − 𝜋𝑚𝑛𝑠 {(𝑛 − 1)𝑚 + (𝑚 − 1)𝑛 + √2(𝑚 − 1)(𝑛 − 1)}

(d = diameter of pile = 40 cm, s = c/c spacing of piles = 1 m = 100 cm, m = number of piles in row = 5 and n
= number of rows = 4)
40
⇒ 𝜂𝑔 = 1 − 3.14×5×4×100 {(4 − 1) × 5 + (5 − 1) × 4 + √2 × (5 − 1) × (4 − 1)} = 0.771

Hence, the group capacity of the piles = 𝑄𝑔 = 𝑛. 𝑄𝑢 . 𝜂𝑔 = 20 × 380 × 0.771 = 𝟓𝟖𝟓𝟗. 𝟔 kN (Ans.)

Page 6 of 7
 Dr. J Shaikh
Assistant Professor
Geotechnical Engineering 2 ⇒ Assignment 4 Department of Civil Engineering

e) 200 mm diameter, 8 m long piles are used as foundation for a column in a uniform deposit of medium clay (unconfined
compressive strength = 100 kN/m2 and adhesion factor = 0.9). There are nine piles arranged in a square pattern of 3 × 3.
For a group efficiency = 1.0, find the spacing between the piles (neglect bearing).
Solution: ⇒Given: Diameter of pile = d = 200 mm = 0.2 m
Depth of pile = H= 8 m, Number of piles = n = 9, adhesion factor =
𝛼 =0.9, 𝜂 = 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝 efficiency = 1 and unconfined compression
strength = 𝑞𝑢 = 100 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2
𝒒𝒖 𝟏𝟎𝟎
∴𝒄= 𝟐
= 𝟐
= 𝟓𝟎 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2
𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝐴𝑝 = 𝜋𝑑𝐻 = 3.14 × 0.2 × 8 = 5.024 𝑚2
Assuming C/C spacing of piles, we get, surface area of the block
containing all 9 piles= 𝐴𝑏 = 4𝐵𝐻 = 4 × (2𝑥 + 0.2) × 8 = 64 ×
H=8m
(𝑥 + 0.1) 𝑚2
Consider individual pile action, total pile capacity is given below.
𝑄𝑢𝑛 = n𝛼𝑐𝐴𝑝 = 9 × 0.9 × 50 × 5.024 = 2034.72 𝑘𝑁
Consider group action, total pile capacity is given below.
𝑄𝑢𝑔 = 𝑐𝐴𝑏 = 50 × 64 × (𝑥 + 0.1) = 3200(𝑥 + 0.1) 𝑘𝑁
𝑄
Now, group efficiency 𝜂 = 𝑄𝑢𝑛 = 1 (According to the problem)
𝑢𝑔
𝑄𝑢𝑛 2023.472
𝑄𝑢𝑔
=1⇒ 3200×(𝑥+0.1)
= 1 ⇒ 𝑥 = 0.536 𝑚 (Ans.)
By solving the above equation, we get
⇒ 𝑥 = 0.536 𝑚 (Ans.)
Hence, the spacing between the piles is 0.536 m

f) A square pile group of 9 piles passes through a recently filled up material of 4.5 m depth. The diameter of the pile is 30
cm and pile spacing is 90 cm centre to centre. If the unconfined compression strength of the cohesive material is 60
kN/m2 and unit weight is 15 kN/m3, compute the negative skin friction of the pile group.
Solution: ⇒Given: Diameter of pile = d = 30 cm = 0.3 m
Depth of pile = 𝐿𝑓 = 4.5 m, Number of piles = n = 9, adhesion factor
= 𝛼 =0.75, 𝐹𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒𝑡𝑦 = 𝐹 = 2.5, unconfined compression
strength = 𝑞𝑢 = 100 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚2 and soil unit weight = 𝛾 = 15 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚3
qu 60
∴c= 2
= 2
= 30 kN⁄m2
∴ 𝑃𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝐿𝑓 = 𝜋𝑑 = 3.14 × 0.3 = 0.942 𝑚
∴ Perimeter of block containing all 9 piles = 𝑃𝑏 = 4𝐵 = 4 × 2.1 =
H = 4.5 m

8.4 𝑚 and Base area of the block= 𝐴𝑏 = 𝐵2 = 2.12 = 4.41 𝑚2

Consider individual pile action, negative skin friction is given below.
𝑄𝑢𝑛 = 𝑛. 𝑃𝑝 . 𝑐. 𝐿𝑓 = 9 × 0.942 × 30 × 4.5 = 1144.53 𝑘𝑁

Consider group action, negative skin friction is given below

𝑄𝑢𝑔 = 𝑃𝑏 . 𝑐. 𝐿𝑓 + 𝛾𝐿𝑓 𝐴𝑏 = 8.4 × 30 × 4.5 + 15 × 4.5 × 4.41 =
1431.67 𝑘𝑁

In such case, the negative skin friction will be larger of the two values
calculated above
Hence, the required negative skin friction is 1431.67 kN (Ans.)

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