Bicol University

College of Engineering
Foundation and Retaining Wall Design
Practice Problems
April 11, 2024

Name: _______________________________________________ Block: ______

Instructions:
• Print the problems in long bond paper.
• Final answers must be written the bond paper. (Same format when we are having our examination)
• Use yellow paper for the solution.
• Do not use pencil.

1. A concrete pile having a diameter of 0.30m is driven into a loose sand having a unit weight of 20kN/cu.m. Coefficient
of friction between sand and pile is 0.40. Bearing capacity factor 80. Lateral pressure factor, K, is 0.90. Allowable
load of pile is 170kN. F.S is 3.25.
a. Compute the ultimate bearing capacity of the pile.
b. Compute the ultimate frictional capacity of the pile.
c. Compute the length of the pile.

2. A 0.36m square prestressed concrete pile is to be driven in a clayey soil. The design capacity of the pile is 360kN
with a factor of safety of 2. Unconfined compressive stress is 110kN/sq.m, unit weight is 18.1kN/cu.m, Nc = 9
a. Compute the end bearing capacity of the pile.
b. Compute the skin friction expected to develop along the shaft of the pile.
c. Compute the length of the pile if a=0.76.

3. A group of piles are arranged 3 vertical and 4 horizontal, a total of 12 piles and are square in section with sides
equal to 300 mm. and has a spacing of 1.20 m. on centers. The piles have a total length of 15 m. Unit weight of clay
is 18.8 kN/m3 and has a cohesion of 70 kPa. Ground water table is located at a depth of 18 m. below the ground
surface. Adhesion factor is 0.70 and bearing capacity factor of 9.0.
a. Compute the ultimate load-bearing capacity of the group of piles considering the piles act individually.
b. Compute the ultimate capacity if the piles in the group act as a block.
c. Determine the allowable load bearing capacity of the group of pile using a factor of safety of 4.