Application of Seismic Piezocone Soundings to Bi-Directional Load Test Response

A unique look at the O-cell developed by Professor Osterberg involves the application of
seismic piezocone penetration testing (SCPTU) towards the evaluation of
geoparameters for assessing the behavior of the actual full-scale load test setup and
conduct of the test. The SCPTU provides up to five readings on soil behavior with
depth from a single sounding: (a) cone tip resistance; (b) sleeve friction; (c) porewater
pressure; (d) time rate of dissipation; and (e) shear wave velocity. Several case studies
involving O-cell load tests on drilled shaft foundations in soils located in Calgary/AB,
Atlanta/GA, Charleston/SC, and Vancouver/BC are presented. For all cases, data
obtained by SCPTU soundings during the geotechnical site investigation are utilized to
estimate the capacities and bi-directional axial movements of the staged loading of
drilled shaft segments via elastic continuum solutions.