Reliability analysis of piles based on proof vertical static load test

Most of the pile's vertical static load tests in construction sites are the proof load tests, which is difficult to accurately estimate the ultimate bearing capacity and analyze the reliability of piles. Therefore, a reliability analysis method based on the proof load-settlement (Q-s) data is proposed in this study. In this proposed method, a simple ultimate limit state function based on the hyperbolic model is established, where the random variables of reliability analysis include the model factor of the ultimate bearing capacity and the fitting parameters of the hyperbolic model. The model factor M = RuR / RuP is calculated based on the available destructive Q-s data, where the real value of the ultimate bearing capacity (RuR) is obtained by the complete destructive Q-s data; the predicted value of the ultimate bearing capacity (RuP) is obtained by the proof Q-s data, a part of the available destructive Q-s data, that before the predetermined load determined by the pile test report. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can easy and effectively perform the reliability analysis based on the proof Q-s data.