This paper presents the results of a field investigation into pile setup in overconsolidated clay soil that was conducted during a period of almost seven years, at Guabirotuba Geological Formation, south of Brazil, where the experimentation site of the Federal University of Paraná is located. One driven precast prestressed concrete pile was subjected to dynamic load tests at four different events: at the end of driving (EOD) and at three re-strikes: after 113.5 h (4.7days), 288 h (12 days) and 2342 days (6.4 years) of pile installation. Re-strike measurements confirm that pile setup occurred and the shaft resistance component, not the end-bearing, contributes predominantly to the increase in capacity along time.

Keywords: Driven piles, Dynamic load test, Pile setup, Overconsolidated clay soil,

Submitted on May 02, 2016.
Final Acceptance on March 18, 2017.
Discussion open until August 31, 2017.
DOI: 10.28927/SR.401017