The base resistance of non-displacement piles in sand. Part II: finite-element analyses

A wide range of correlations have been proposed between cone penetration test end resistance, q_c, and the ultimate end bearing pressure developed by bored piles. The q_c value is typically related to the pile end bearing resistance at a normalised pile displacement equal to 10% of the pile diameter, q_b0·1, through a correlation factor, α. While it is generally accepted that constant α factors can be applied for the design of displacement piles, a combination of field tests and finite-element analyses of bored piles in sand has resulted in a myriad of design approaches, some of which suggest that α varies with pile geometry, stress level and sand density. In this paper the results of finite-element analyses are presented which suggest that a constant α factor can be adopted for the design of deep foundations in sand.