TM

th th th
Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

Recent Development in Pile Instrumentation Technology for Driven and

Jacked-in Prestressed Spun Concrete Piles

S.K. Lee, T.K. Lau & A.H. Tan

Glostrext Technology Sdn. Bhd., No.38-40, Jalan Desa Serdang 4, 43300 Serdang Lama, Selangor, Malaysia
leesiengkai@glostrext.com.my
Faisal Hj. Ali
Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur
fahali@um.edu.my
Y.W. Chong
KP Chai Engineering & Management Consultants, Blk 204, Hougang Street 21, #03-117, Singapore 530204
kpcemc@singnet.com.sg

Abstract: Conventional instrumentation method of incorporating high temperature-resistant strain gauges into the heat-cured
production process of spun piles is extremely unpopular due to high cost of these gauges and the uncertainty over their ability to
survive the pile production and driving processes. Due to these difficulties, the engineering community has been using an approximate
instrumentation method for the past few decades, by installing an instrumented steel pipe into the hollow core of spun piles followed
by cement grout infilling. The shortcoming of this method is the infilling of cement grout substantially alters the structural properties of
the piles, thus rendering their load-response behaviour significantly different from that of the actual working piles. This paper
highlights the application of Global Strain Extensometer technology, a state-of-the-art deformation monitoring system for monitoring
loads and displacements at various levels along the pile shaft and toe of instrumented piles. Recent case histories are presented to
demonstrate the advantages of this novel instrumentation technology for spun piles. Results show high quality, reliable and consistent
data, clearly far exceeding the capability of both conventional and approximate methods.

1 INTRODUCTION In recent years, with critical evolution in the understanding of

The high strength prestressed spun concrete piles, commonly
driven with hydraulic impact hammers or preferably installed
with jacked-in rigs when considering the stricter regulations with
respect to noise and vibrations in more urban areas, often offer a
competitive choice of foundation system for projects with
medium and high loadings. They are widely used in foundations
for schools, high-rise buildings, factories, ports, bridges and
power plants in this region.
The paper reviews the various challenges and difficulties
posed by the conventional and approximate instrumentation
methods currently available for spun pile instrumentation, and
highlight the contribution of Global Strain Extensometer
technology, which is leading the trend for the driven pile
instrumentation approach in general, and spun pile
instrumentation in particular, to a new direction with
revolutionary improvement in the acquisition of design data in a
more accurate and reliable way.
2 RECENT EVOLUTION IN CODES AND DESIGN
METHODS FROM ANALYSIS OF INSTRUMENTED
FULL-SCALE STATIC LOAD TESTS
In early years, the main construction control for driven piles was
mostly based on the measurement of set of each pile coupled with
a selected small number of non-instrumented static load tests to
verify the specified load-settlement requirements.
the load transfer and bearing behaviour of piles mainly through
analysis of instrumented full-scale load tests (particularly for
bored cast-in-place piles), many engineers can now appreciate
that the pile performance is not simply a matter of ultimate load
value alone. According to Fleming (1996) some of the basic
parameters required for forecasting pile deformation under loads
include (a) Ultimate shaft load and its characteristics of
transformation to the ground; (b) Ultimate base load; (c) Stiffness
of the soil below the pile base; (d) Pile dimensions; and (e)
Stiffness of the pile material.
This recent development in the understanding of the load
transfer and bearing behaviour of piles in fact exerted a
significant and positive influence on the evolution of codes of
practice and design methods for foundations in some countries.
For example, the revised Singapore Standard on Code of Practice
for Foundations CP4: 2003, recommends that the static load test
on preliminary test pile be instrumented to measure the transfer
of load from the pile shaft and pile toe to the soil. The Code also
recommends that for driven piles (similar to bored cast-in-place
piles), the axial load capacity can be evaluated empirically from
correlation with standard penetration tests SPT N-values (which
are widely used in this region) using modified Meyerhof
Equation, where the ultimate bearing capacity of a pile in
compression is given by:
Qu = Ks*Ns*As + Kb*(40Nb)*Ab (1)

1
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th th th
Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

where:
N (blows/30cm) (Pile head)
Qu is the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile, kN; 0 50 100 150
Existing Ground Level
0
Ks is the empirical design factor relating ultimate shaft load to
SPT values, kN/ m2 per SPT blow; Strain Gauges Lev. A
Ns is the SPT value for the pile shaft, blows/300mm;
As is the perimeter area of the shaft, m2;
5
Clay
Kb is the empirical design factor relating ultimate endbearing Hollow annular space
load to SPT values, kN/ m2 per SPT blow; Spun Pile
10
Nb is the SPT value for the pile base, blows/300mm;
Ab is the cross-sectional area of the pile base, m2. Strain Gauges Lev. B
15
For bored piles, instrumentation using sacrificial cast-in

Depth (m)
vibrating wire strain gauges and mechanical tell-tales which Sandy
Clay Strain Gauges Lev. C
permit for monitoring of axial loads and movements at various 20
levels down the pile shaft including the pile toe level had been
practiced successfully within limits of accuracy posed by
constraints inherent of the installation method, in this region for Strain Gauges Lev. D
25
many decades, allowing insight evaluation of Ks and Kb factors, Sandy
Silt
including well documented history of The Design of Strain Gauges Lev. E
Foundations for Suntec City, Singapore (S.F.Chan & Peter 30 Strain Gauges Lev. F
C.S.Lee, 1990, S.F.Chan, 2004). Recent use of Global Strain Pile toe at 30.0 m depth
Extensometers (Glostrext) Method for bored piles in this region Legends:
denotes high temperature - resistant
(H.M. A.Aziz & S.K. Lee, 2005, 2006) also provides an excellent SI borehole log
Strain Gauges
alternative means for similar purpose, but with the capability of denotes Pile Joint
producing a more reliable performance and accurate results.
For precast driven piles, the application of instrumented full- Fig. 1: Diagrammatic illustration of conventional spun pile
scale static load tests is far more challenging than their bored pile instrumentation scheme
counterparts due to significant difference in method of pile
installation. Due to practical shortcoming of conventional 3.2 Approximate Instrumentation Method
instrumentation method and the lack of innovation in this area,
instrumented full-scale static load tests are in fact rarely used in Due to the difficulties of using the conventional method, the
driven pile application in this region. Therefore, the far lacking engineering community for spun pile industry has been using an
driven pile industry is long due for a better technology to approximate instrumentation method for the past few decades, by
revolutionize the methodology in the acquisition of design data in installing either an instrumented reinforcement cage or an
a more accurate and reliable way, to catch up with the evolution instrumented pipe, into the hollow core of spun piles followed by
in the design methods. cement grout infilling (Fig. 2(a)).
N (blows/30cm) (Pile head)
0 50 100 150
Existing Ground Level
3 CONVENTIONAL AND APPROXIMATE METHODS 0

FOR INSTRUMENTED FULL-SCALE STATIC LOAD Strain GaugesvLev. A

TESTS ON SPUN PILES
5

3.1 Conventional Instrumentation Method Clay

Instrumented Pipe
Cement Grout
A conventional instrumentation scheme for spun pile static load 10 Spun Pile
testing is shown in Fig. 1. The method involves incorporating
high temperature-resistant strain gauges into the heat-cured Strain Gauges Lev. B

production process of prestressed spun concrete piles. 15

Depth (m)

This method is extremely unpopular and difficult to be

Sandy
routinely applied in project sites due to the following constraints: Clay Strain Gauges Lev. C
(a) High cost of these temperature-resistant strain gauges; 20

(b) Tremendous difficulties involved in coordinating the

installation of the strain gauges into pile segments; Strain Gauges Lev. D
25
(c) Long lead-time is normally required for instrumentation
Sandy
works, as the instruments have to be pre-assembled and Silt Strain Gauges Lev. E
installed onto the high strength prestressing bar cage prior to
30 Strain Gauges Lev. F
heat-cured spin-cast production process of the piles; and Pile toe at 30.0 m depth
(d) Great uncertainty over the ability of the delicate instruments Legends:
to withstand the stresses arising from pile production and SI borehole log denotes Vibrating Wire Strain Gauges
driving processes. denotes Pile Joint

Fig. 2(a) : Diagrammatic illustration of approximate spun pile

instrumentation method

2
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Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8
Fig. 2(b) shows typical sequence of spun pile installation by
jack-in method, commonly used vibrating wire strain gauges
mounted to steel pipe, lowering of instrumented pipe into the
annular space of the test pile followed by cement grout infilling.
As this approximate method is comparatively more
convenient to be implemented than the conventional method, it
was widely practiced in this region for the past few decades.
Some contract specifications also ask for the inclusion of
conventional sleeved rod extensometers (depending on the space
available) to monitor the pile shortening reading during the static
load tests. Either using an instrumented reinforcement cage or an
instrumented pipe, with or without the added-in sleeved rod
extensometers, the end product after the cement grout infilling is
more towards a solid pile, as shown in Fig. 2(c).
Fig. 2(b): Typical installation process of spun pile
instrumentation in Approximate Method
Cement Grout Infill (Usually Grade 25)
Original
Wall
Thickness
(usually
Grade 80
Concrete
Instrumented Pipe (Instrumented Cage also
commonly used)
Fig. 2(c): Section of instrumented spun pile after cement
grout infilling in Approximate Method
Therefore the obvious shortcomings of this approximate
method include:
(a) The infilling of cement grout substantially alters the
structural properties of the piles, thus rendering them
significantly different from the actual working spun piles,
which are usually not grouted internally;
(b) The change in strain in the post-grouted core under the
applied loading may not be the same as the change in strain
in the prestressed concrete wall of the pile because of the
different stiffness of the two materials of different mix,
strength and age;
th th th
11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.
(c) Structural shortening measurement of the test piles are not
representative of the actual working piles;
(d) Structural integrity of the original pile cannot be reliably
ascertained, particularly performance of pile joints, during
the static load test; and
(e) Significant time loss due to grout infilling and curing
process, beside the environmental unfriendly nature of this
method.
4 THE STATE-OF-THE-ART GLOBAL STRAIN
EXTENSOMETER TECHNOLOGY
To address the challenges and difficulties posed by the
conventional and approximate methods, Global Strain
Extensometer technology for spun piles had been developed,
improved and field tested over the past 3 years.
4.1 Description of the State-of-the-Art Global Strain
Extensometer technology
The technology consists of a deformation monitoring system that
uses advanced pneumatically- or hydraulically-anchored
extensometers coupled with high-precision spring-loaded
transducers, and a novel analytical technique to monitor loads
and displacements down the shaft and at the toe of foundation
piles. This method is particularly useful for monitoring pile
performance and optimizing pile foundation design.
To appreciate the innovation contained in the technology, the
basic deformation measurement in the pile by strain gauges and
tell-tale extensometers are reviewed. Normally, strain gauges
(typically short gauge length) are used for strain measurement at
a particular level or spot, while tell-tale extensometers (typically
long sleeved rod length) are used purely for shortening
measurement over an interval (over a length between two levels).
From a strain measurement point of view, the strain gauge gives
strain measurement over a very short gauge length while the tell-
tale extensometer gives strain measurement over a very long
gauge length! Tell-tale extensometer that measure strain over a
very long gauge length may be viewed as a very large strain
gauge or simply called Global Strain Extensometer. With recent
advancement in the manufacturing of high-precision spring-
loaded vibrating-wire sensors, it is now possible to measure
strain deformation over the entire length of piles in segments with
ease during static load testing.
Fig. 3 shows a schematic spun pile instrumentation diagram
using Global Strain Extensometer technology. This system is
equivalent to the conventional method of using 24 no. strain
gauges and 6 no. sleeved rod extensometers, which might not be
possible to be installed satisfactorily due to congestion in the
spun piles.
For the analysis of test data for spun piles using Global Strain
Extensometer technology, the load distribution can be computed
from the measured changes in global strain gauge readings and
pile properties (cross-section area of spun pile and concrete
modulus). Load transferred (PAve) at mid-point of each anchored
interval can be calculated as:
P = (Ec Ac ) (2)
where,
= average change in global strain gauge readings;
Ac = cross-sectional area of spun pile section;
Ec = concrete secant modulus in pile section.
3
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Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

With the instrumentation set-up as described in Fig. 3, the (iv) Significant cost and time saving, as the additional cage and
state-of-the-art Global Strain Extensometers system is able to cement grout infilling are not required;
measure shortening and strains over an entire section of the test (v) The technology is extremely environmental friendly, as the
pile during each loading steps of a typical static pile load test, sensors are retrievable, and no messing around with cement
thus it integrates the strain over a larger and more representative grouts; and
sample. (vi) Mass implementation of spun piles instrumentation is now
made viable with this technology, to capture representative
and reliable data in large quantities to assist engineers to
N (blows/30cm) (Pile head) build up a reliable databank for better design and safety.
0 50 100 150
0
Anchored Lev. 0 Existing Ground Level
Global Strain Gauge Lev. A
Anchored Lev. 1 Extensometer Lev. 1 5 CASE HISTORIES

5
Clay
5.1 Application of Global Strain Extensometer technology for
Global Strain Gauge Lev. B driven prestressed spun concrete piles
10
Hollow annular space
Spun Pile S.Krishnan & S.K. Lee, (2006) reported an interesting case of
Anchored Lev. 2 Extensometer Lev. 2
pile instrumentation and monitoring works using this technology
in the pre-production pile testing programme for the US$ 800
15
Global Strain Gauge Lev. C million 1400MW Coal Fired Jimah Power Plant Project in Negeri
Depth (m)

Sandy
Sembilan, Malaysia. The pile instrumentation schemes adopted
Clay Anchored Lev. 3 Extensometer Lev. 3 for the pre-production spun pile testing programme are
20
graphically represented in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b). The pre-
Global Strain Gauge Lev. D
production prestressed spun concrete piles TP3C was installed
Anchored Lev. 4 Extensometer Lev. 4 with an 11-ton BSP hydraulic impact hammer while piles TP5,
25
Sandy Global Strain Gauge Lev. E TP6, TP7 and TP9 were installed with a 9-ton Junttan hydraulic
Silt
Anchored Lev. 5 Extensometer Lev. 5 impact hammer. Preboring was carried out over the upper 12m
Global Strain Gauge Lev. F for piles TP3C and TP5. The structural properties of these driven
30 Anchored Lev. 6 Extensometer Lev. 6
Pile toe at 30.0 m depth prestressed spun concrete piles are summarized in Table 1.
Legends:
denotes Glostrext anchored level Table 1: Prestressed Spun Concrete Pile Properties
SI borehole log denotes Glostrext Sensor
denotes Pile Joint Test Nominal Wall Pile Prestressing
Pile Diameter Thickness Length Bar
Fig. 3: Schematic diagram of typical instrumented spun No. (mm) (mm) (m) (9mm )
pile using Global Strain Extensometer technology TP3C 600 100 38.9 14 no.
TP5 500 90 38.1 10 no.
4.2 Advantages of using the State-of-the-Art Global Strain TP6 500 90 17.5 10 no.
Extensometer technology TP7 500 90 17.5 15 no.
TP9 400 80 41.7 8 no.
Due to the significant difference in the methodology evolution,
from conventional sacrificial cast-in method to a new retrievable
post-install approach, the Global Strain Extensometer technology
Platform Level RL +5.5m MLSD
has been proven via a large number of full-scale load tests to be a I I I I
0 I
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reliable and powerful pile load testing and data interpretation Hydraulic
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5 Sand Fill
tool, capable of leading the spun pile instrumentation industry to I I I I I I
I I I I
I I
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-------- - I I I I

- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

I I I I
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a revolutionary improvement not seen in the past. 10 --------

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- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

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Some of the obvious benefits of using Global Strain 15

- - -Clay -----
- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
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Extensometer technology are as follow:

I I I I
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - I I I I
I I

- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
20 - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
(i) The technology enables installation of instrumentation after
Depth (m)

- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -
25
pile-driving and thus virtually eliminates the risk of x x x x x

x x x x x
instrument damage during pile production and installation; 30 Sandy
x x x x x

Silt
(ii) The post-install nature of the method empowers engineers to 35
x xx x

x x x x x

select instrumentation levels along the as-built depth of x x

x x x x x
x x

40
foundation piles using pile driving/installation records and x x

Hard
x x x x x
x x
TP 3C TP 5 TP 9
site investigation data as guides; 45 x x x x
Layer
x x x x x
Legends:

(iii) The technology reliably measures segmental 50

x x x x GloStrExt Anchored Level
Global Strain Gauge
shortening/elongation and strain over an entire section of the Soil Profile Pile Joint
test pile during each loading step of a typical static load test. I
I Bitumen Slip Coating N.T.S

Unlike the conventional strain gauges that make just

localized strain measurements, the new technology Fig. 4(a): Schematic diagram of instrumentation details for
integrates individual measurements over a larger and more static axial compression load tests on spun piles
representative sample; using Global Strain Extensometer technology at
Jimah site

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Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

1500

Platform Level TP7

Pile Head Tension Load (kN )

RL +5.5m MLSD 1200
0
I I
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Hydraulic I I
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Sand Fill I I
900
5 I I
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TP6
I I
------- - I I
------ I I

10
------- - I I
600
------ I I
------- -
Depth (m)

------ I I

------- - I I

------ I I

------- - I I

15 ------ I I
300
- - Clay
----- - I I

------ I I

------- -
------ TP 6 TP 7
------- -
20 ------
------- - Legends: 0
------
------- -
------ 0 5 10 15 20 25
------- - GloStrExt Anchored Level
------ Pile Toe Upward Displacement (mm)
25 ------- -
------
Global Strain Gauge

Soil Profile Pile Joint Fig. 4(d): Pile Head Tension Load versus Pile Toe Upward
I
Bitumen Slip Coating
I Displacement for TP6 and TP7 at Jimah site
To Pull Out Frame
N.T.S

1500

Fig. 4(b): Schematic diagram of instrumentation details for TP7(plain)

Pile Head Tension Load (kN )

static axial tension load tests on spun piles using 1200
Global Strain Extensometer technology at Jimah site
TP6(coated)
900
Reported test results (S.Krishnan & S.K. Lee, 2006) acquired
from Global Strain Extensometer technology on all tested piles 600
appeared to be consistent, and the test results for the two tension
test piles TP6 and TP7 are reproduced here to highlight the
300
capability of this technology. From highly consistent
measurements of the structural elongation of the entire length of
piles TP6 and TP7 using Global Strain Extensometers (Fig. 4(c)), 0
the pile toe upward displacement behaviours (Fig. 4(d)) can be 0 5 10 15 20 25
Pile Head Upward Displacement (mm)
reliably established by subtracting the structural elongation from
the pile head upward displacement (Fig. 4(e)).
Fig. 4(e): Pile Head Tension Load versus Pile Head Upward
Similarly, Global Strain Extensometer technology also enable
Displacement for TP6 and TP7 at Jimah site
pile displacement under load at any depth along the shaft to be
accurately derived, based on its ability to make segmental or The technology not only enables ease of the assessment of
global shortening/elongation measurement along the whole pile modulusstrain relationship and load transfer study (Fig. 4(f)), it
independent of any external reference and free of common errors also significantly improves the reliability of the measurement of
associated with the conventional sleeved rod extensometers. This movement of pile between deeper soil stratums, as illustrated in
enables the movement and strains at various levels down the pile the characteristic curves of mobilized unit shaft friction (Fig.
shaft to be accurately determined, thus permitting a significantly 4(g)).
improved means for the acquisition of load transfer data.
12 60
Pile Secant Modulus (kN/mm )
2

TP6 TP6
Pile Head Stress (N/mm )

TP7
2

10 50 TP7

8 40
1500
6 30

TP7 4 20
Pile Head Tension Load (kN )

1200
2 10

0 0
0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2100 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 1800 2100
900 -6 -6
Axial Tensile Strain (x 10 ) Axial Tensile Strain (x 10 )
TP6
Loads ( kN) Loads ( kN)
0 200 400 600 800 0 400 800 1200 1600
600 0 0
Depth below platform level (m)
Depth below platform level (m)

5 5
300

10 10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 15 15

Total Structural Elongation (mm) TP6 TP7

20 20

Fig. 4(c): Pile Head Tension Load versus Total Structural

Elongation for TP6 and TP7 measured using Global Fig. 4(f): Tensile Stress-Strain Curves, Modulus-Strain Curves
Strain Extensometer technology at Jimah site and Load Distribution Curves for TP6 and TP7

5
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Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

90
TP6(coated): 0.0m to 8.5m depth (Sandfill)
TP7(plain): 0.0m to 8.5m depth (Sandfill)
Mobilised Unit Shaft Friction ( kN/m )
2

TP6(coated): 8.5m to 17.5m (clay)

75
TP7(plain):8.5m to 17.5m depth (clay)

60

45

30

15

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Average Upward Movement (mm) of Pile between soil stratum

Fig. 4(g): Mobilised unit shaft friction characteristic, TP6 and

TP7 test results acquired from measurement using
Global Strain Extensometer technology at Jimah site
Fig. 5(b): Static axial compression load test set-up for PTP1 at
Melaka site
5.2 Application of Global Strain Extensometer technology for
jacked-in prestressed spun concrete piles Pile head movement was monitored using both Linear
Variation Displacement Transducers (LVDTs) and by affixing
Global Strain Extensometer technology has also been recently pile tops with vertical scale rules that could then be sighted by
used to fully instrument a 500mm diameter (with 90mm wall precise level instruments. Vertical scales were similarly provided
thickness) jacked in prestressed spun concrete pile for a on the reference frame to monitor frame movements during load
commercial building project in the state of Melaka, Malaysia. testing. The applied loads were measured by calibrated vibrating-
The test pile instrumentation details along with nearby borehole wire load cell. The vibrating-wire load cell, Glostrext sensors and
SPT N-values plot are graphically represented in Fig. 5(a). The LVDTs were all logged automatically using a Micro-10x
pile was jacked-in to 30m penetration length when the jack-in datalogger system (Fig. 5(c)).
force reached approximately two times working load or 4000kN.
The jack-in frame was also used for subsequent static load test
(Fig. 5(b)).

500mm Instrumented Spun Pile

Pile top (RL +3.0m)
N (blows/30cm)
0 50 100 150 200
0 0.0 m EGL (RL +2.5 m)

1.0 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. A (RL +1.5m)

2
2.0 m Extensometer Lev. 1 (RL +0.5m)

4 s pun pile

8 7.5 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. B (RL -5.0m)

10 hollow core

12

12.5 m Extensometer Lev. 2 (RL -10.0m)

Clay
14

15.5 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. C (RL -13.0m)

Depth (m)

16

18
Fig. 5(c): Instrumentation and monitoring test set-up for PTP1
18.5 m Extensometer Lev. 3 (RL -16.0m) at Melaka site
20
Sandy
Clay
22 21.5 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. D (RL -19.0m) Pile head settlement and pile settlement at various depths
24
including pile toe (derived by subtracting the structural
24.5 m Extensometer Lev. 4 (RL -22.0m) shortening at corresponding depth from the pile head settlement)
26 25.5 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. E (RL -23.0m)
SandySilt
26.5 m Extensometer Lev. 5 (RL -24.0m)
are presented in Fig. 5(d).
28 27.5 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. F (RL -25.0m) In the pile test analysis, it is highly recommended in practical
28.5 m Extensometer Lev. 6 (RL -26.0m)
29.0 m Global Strain Gauge Lev. G (RL -26.5m) terms to obtain the pile concrete modulus, Ec value directly from
30 29.5 m Extensometer Lev. 7 (RL -27.0m)

Pile toe at 30.0 m depth (RL -27.5m)

the material of the pile (Fleming 1992). Global Strain
32 Legend:
denotes Glostrext anchored level
Extensometer technology appeared to provide an excellent
34
denotes Glostrext Sensor
answer to this recommendation (Fig. 5(e)), giving a reliable site-
SI Borehole BH 4
specific calibration of strain-dependent modulus to be ascertained
before converting strains into axial loads.
Fig. 5(a): PTP1 instrumentation using Global Strain
Extensometer technology at Melaka site

6
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Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

6000 6000
6 CONCLUSIONS AND RECCOMMENDATIONS
5000 5000
Pile Head Load (kN )

Pile Head Load (kN )

4000 4000
Considering the inherent shortcomings of conventional and
3000 3000
`
approximate instrumentation method for spun piles, the Global
2000 2000
Strain Extensometer technology appeared to be a more superior
1000 1000
and logical evolution due to its revolutionary difference in the
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
methodology approach, from conventional sacrificial cast-in
Pile Head Settlement (mm) Pile Settlement (mm) at 12.5m depth method to a new retrievable post-install nature. Recent case
6000 6000
histories using this technology on both driven and jacked-in spun
piles showed high quality, reliable and consistent data, clearly far
5000 5000
exceeding the capability of both conventional and approximate
Pile Head Load (kN )

Pile Head Load (kN )

4000 4000
methods.
3000
`
3000
`
The advanced features and novel nature of the Global Strain
2000 2000 Extensometer technology also made it an improved alternative of
1000 1000 instrumentation approach to the following research areas, where
0 0 it could be too cumbersome and sometimes economically not
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 viable if using conventional and approximate methods:
Pile Settlement (mm) at 18.5m depth Pile Settlement (mm) at 24.5m depth
(a) Fully instrumented piles for long term load transfer
6000 6000 characteristic study, including both positive and negative
5000 5000 skin friction development with time;
Pile Head Load (kN )

Pile Head Load (kN )

4000 4000 (b) Study of locked-in stresses in piles due to handling and
3000 3000 installation process, particular suitable for jacked-in piles;
`

2000
`

2000
(c) Fully instrumented piles for study of influence due to
1000 1000
installation process of adjacent piles;
0
(d) Study of pile joints performance under loadings;
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 (e) Mass implementation of spun piles instrumentation in fast-
Pile Toe Settlement (mm)
Pile Settlement (mm) at 26.5m depth track projects.
Fig. 5(d): Pile head settlement and pile settlement at various
depths including pile toe for PTP1 at Melaka site The authors sincerely hope that the information presented
serves to initiate a mechanism (via further R&D) for continuous
development of an improved empirical method of designing piles
Applied pile head load, Pt ,
measured by VW Load Cell
60 based on results of full-scale instrumented load test using a better
Secant Modulus, E c ( kN/mm2 )

0.0 m
55
technology to revolutionize the methodology in the acquisition of
50
1.0 m
2.0 m
Level A Global Strain
Extensometer to verify and back- 45
pile test and design data in a more accurate and reliable way for
calculate concrete modulus, Ec,
s pun pile using PA = Pt 40 the betterment of our foundation industry and engineering
35
profession.
30

25

20
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Measured Axial Strain ( x 10 ) at Lev A
-6
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Loads ( kN) 600
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000
Mobilised Unit Shaft Friction ( kN/m 2 )

0
500 Lev A to Lev C
Lev C to Lev D
The authors acknowledge various clients and friends for the
Depth below platform level (m)

5
400 Lev D to Lev E opportunities to be involved in the projects cited in the paper.
Lev E to lev F
10
300 Lev F to Lev G Our sincere and special thanks to Dr. H.M. Abdul Aziz, Ir.
15
200
Sridhar Krishnan and Er. Christopher Pang.
20
100

25
0

30
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 REFERENCES
Movement of Pile between soil stratum ( mm )

Fig. 5(e): Level A sensor arrangement for verifying and back- Aziz, H.M.A. & Lee, S.K. 2005. Innovation in Instrumented Test
calculate Ec values, modulus-strain curve, load Piles in Malaysia : Application of Global Strain
distribution curve and mobilized unit shaft friction Extensometer (GLOSTREXT) Method for Instrumented
versus average movement of pile between soil Bored Piles in Malaysia, Bulletin of the Institution of
stratum measured using Global Strain Extensometer Engineers, Malaysia, October 2005 issue. pp 10-19
technology for PTP1 at Melaka site Aziz H.M.A. & Lee, S.K. 2006. Application of Global Strain
Extensometer (GLOSTREXT) Method for Instrumented
Bored Piles in Malaysia. Proceedings of 10th International
A conspicuous benefit which can be derived from the plotting Conference on Piling and Deep Foundations, Amsterdam, pp
shown in Fig. 5(d) and Fig. 5(e) is that they enable engineers and 669-767
researchers nowadays to have an opportunity to have an insight Chan, S.F. & Lee C.S. 1990. The Design of Foundations for
understanding on the relationship between the pile settlement Suntec City, Singapore, Proceedings of Conference on Deep
along the pile depth and the corresponding load transfer Foundation Practice, Singapore.
characteristics.

7
 TM

th th th
Paper published in 16 SEAGC, 8 11 May 2007, Kuala Lumpur.

Chan S.F. 2004. Special Lecture, Design and Construction of

Foundations for Suntec City, Singapore, Proceedings of the
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Fleming, K. 1992. A new method for single pile settlement

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