Code comparison on pile design and piling industry practice of driven piles in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, China

Abstract

Driven pile is a common type of piling system in the construction industry. Driving the pile proper to the ground may generate a series of ground effects, especially groundborne vibrations, heave, and settlements. Generally, the ultimate working capacity of driven piles is regulated by the code for the design and construction. It is debatable whether the higher working stress of driven piles can be accepted for use when the design of driven piles can fulfil the following three general criteria. First, the ground condition is well-investigated with a low chance of encountering the ground obstacles (e.g., large rock fragments or boulders). Second, the ground has adequate ultimate bearing resistance, and the settlement of a pile or pile group can comply with the code requirements. Third, the piles can keep their integrity after driving. Referring to the second criteria, this paper studies the relationship between ground performance (e.g., settlement, factor of safety, ground resistance) and different types of driven piles, including reinforced concrete and steel structural piles installed in fine-grained and granular soil profiles. This study compares the different geological settings, code requirements, and industrial practices of driven piles in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, China. A case study is used to check the pile design by complying with different codes and design practice. The parametric study of PHC-600 and steel H-pile 305x305x223kg/m is assessed by adjusting the variables of working stress of pile material, pile spacing and pile length on top of the design results of the case study.