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1 SOIL AND FOUNDATION INVESTIGATION
PRODUCTION PLATFORM
I BERRI AREA, ARABIAN G U L F
SAUDI ARABIA

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1 Report
to

1 ARABIAN AMERICAN OIL COMPANY

Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

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by
I McCLELLAND ENGINEERS, INC
Soil & Foundation Consultants
Houston, Texas
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October 1969
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Report No. 69-134

I October 17, 1969

Arabian American Oil Company

1 Engineering Department
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
Attention: Mr. Edward T. Bowen
3, Chief Engineer

1 Soil and Foundation Investigation

Production Platform
B e r r i Area, Arabian Gulf

I Gentlemen:
Saudi Arabia

I Submitted h e r e i s the r e p o r t on our study of soil and foundation condi-

tions a t the proposed location of a n offshore production platform i n the B e r r i

I Area of the Arabian Gulf. This study was c a r r i e d out in general accordance
with our contract for Engineering Study and Report dated June 5, 1969.

I A preliminary boring log and pile capacity curve were furnished to

you upon completion of the field investigation. Subsequent to completion of
laboratory testing i n Houston, design information for l a t e r a l pile analysis

I was transmitted to your engineering offices in The Hague, Netherlands on

July 24, 1969. A l l preliminary and design information previously conveyed
to you is included h e r e in g r e a t e r detail and is supported by the data obtained

1 during the field and laboratory phases of the study.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with you i n the design of this

3 offshore facility. Please call upon u s when we can be of further assistance.

Very truly yours,

1 Mc CLE LLAND ENGINEERS. INC .

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Clarence J . E h l e r s ...

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1 .CJE/RAS/sac
Richard A. Sullivan, P. E.

Copies Submitted: (5)

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1 ABSTRACT .........................
Page;
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1 1 INTRODUCTION
.................
P r o j e c t Description 1
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I Purpose of Study
..................
Report of F o r m a t
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FIELD INVESTIGATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1:
1 SOIL TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
GENERAL SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS
1 Stratification .....................
...................
Soil P r o p e r t i e s
4
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I 11
In-situ Strength Profile
DESIGN ANALYSIS
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Axial Pile Loads
Soil-pile Adhesion
Unit End Bearing
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5
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1 Ultimate Pile Capacity
................
F a c t o r s of S a f e t y .
6
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Lateral Pile Loads .................. 6
I I INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
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Effect of Driving Shoe 8 11
p .................
Removal of Soil Plug
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Pilot Holes
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Insert Piles
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . .
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ILLUSTRATIONS
1 Plate
Site Map, B e r r i A r e a .................... 1
I Log of Boring and Test Results
Key to Terms and Symbols
...............
.................
2
3
Summary of Field Operations ................ 4
I .....................
Interpretation of Data
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Pile Capacity Curves
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P-Y Curves .......................... 7
1 ,.
4, r
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APPENDIX A: SOIL TESTS
I APPENDIX B: LABORATORY AND FIELD SOIL TEST RESULTS
APPENDIX C: CRITERIA FOR PREDETERMINING PILE CAPACITY
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ABSTRACT 4 3
1 A soil and foundation investigation was conducted a t the location of a

I proposed production platform i n the B e r r i a r e a of the Arabian Gulf i n about

35 f t of water. This study included a soil boring drilled to a penetration of

1 103 f t below the s e a floor, appropriate laboratory tests on samples recovered

f r o m the boring, and an engineering analysis of the field and laboratory data.

I The foundation formations encountered a t this location a r e a l m o s t

entirely strong clays which extend f r o m 6-ft penetration to the terminal pene-

E tration of 103 ft. Cemented shell fragments and coral, commonly known as
coquina, extends f r o m the s e a floor to 4-ft penetration and i s underlain by 2

I f t of silty fine sand. The underlying medium-to-high plasticity clays a r e

generally very stiff-to-hard in consistency.

1 Pile penetration should be determined using factors of safety of 3.0

with respect to normal operating loads and not l e s s than 2.0 with respect to

I maximum s t o r m loads. To r e s i s t the design normal operating compressive

load of 340 kips .with a factor of safety of 3.0, a penetration of 100 f t w i l l be

I required for 30-in. -diameter pipe piles. A l e s s e r penetration of about 6 3 f t

i s required to accommodate the design normal operating tensile load of 165

1 kips. These penetrations a r e applicable to piles that a r e installed by driving

only. The capacity of driven piles installed with the aid of drilling and jetting
1 o r other supplemental means may be significantly l e s s than the.capacity of
pi1e.s installed by driving only. Some appropriate adjustments in pile pene-
I tration may be required to compensate for .the .effects of any chosen method
other than driving only.
I Soil resistance-pile deflection (p-y) characteristics a r e presented for
l a t e r a l load analyses of 30-in. -diameter pipe piles using a digital computer
I solution.

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INTRODUCTION

1: P r o j e c t De s c r i p t i o n

1 Arabian American O i l Company (Aramco) i s planning to construct a n

offshore production platform i n the B e r r i a r e a of the Arabian Gulf. The plat-
1 f o r m location i s approximately 15 miles north of A1 Jubayl as shown on Plate
1. The platform w i l l be supported by 30-in. -diameter pipe piles that will
I c a r r y design normal working loads of 340 and 165 kips i n compression and
tension, respectively. The True Meridian Grid coordinates of the foundation
1 boring drilled a t the platform location a r e 783, 111. 2 N and 216,071. 2 E; the
0
Geographical coordinates a r e 27O12'16. 5"N and 49 40'01.1"E. The sea
I floor is a t El -34, Indian Spring Low Water.

I P u r p o s e of S t u d y

The purposes of this study w e r e to develop information on soil condi-

1 tions a t the platform site and to develop pile capacity curves for p r e d e t e r -
mining the penetration of 30-in. pipe piles required to c a r r y the design com-

I pressive and tensile normal working loads with an adequate factor of safety.
Another purpose of the study was to provide soil resistance-pile deflection

I (p-y) data for use in l a t e r a l pile load analyses. Information on soil conditions
was provide6 by a boring drilled to explore soil stratigraphy and to obtain

I1 soil samples, and by field and laboratory testing of samples to determine

pertinent properties of the foundation soils. The boring was to penetrate a
minimum depth of 100 f t .

Report Format

This report contains brief descriptions of the field and laboratory

phases of the study and general soil conditions a t the boring location. The
computational procedures used to predetermine ultimate compressive and

MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
 tensile capacities of piles driven at this site a r e described i n detail. Remarks
a r e made with regard to development of soil characteristics for analyzing
laterally loaded piles and to installation of driven piles at the site. Our con-
clusions and recommendations a r e presented in the terminal section of this
report. Ultimate pile capacity curves and curves of soil resistance versus
pile deflection (p-y) together with field and laboratory soil t e s t data a r e p r e -
sented on illustrations that follow the text and i n the appendices.

FIELD INVESTIGATION

Soil conditions a t the site were determined by a foundation boring

drilled to a penetration of 103 f t below the sea floor. Detailed descriptions
of the soils encountered in the boring a r e given on the boring log presented
I[
! on Plate 2. Most of the t e r m s and symbols used on the boring log a r e identi-
fied on Plate 3 .

I The boring was drilled using the self-elevating mobile drilling plat-
f o r m "AMDP-2" jacked up on the location. Aramco provided the marine

B equipment for moving the drilling barge a s well a s the equipment and person-
nel recpired for the physical perform-ance of the drilling operations.

1 McClelland Engineers furnished a n engineering geologist and a soils techni-

cian to d i r e c t and supervise the soil sampling operations; the necessary soil

I sampling and testing equipment were also provided by McClelland Engineers.

The boring was drilled using rotary drilling procedures through a

I string of 9-5/8-in. casing s e t f r o m the cellar deck of the "AMDP-2" into

the sea floor. The casing was used to permit re-entry into the borehole

1 without any attempt to seal the casing to permit return of drilling fluid. Sea
water was used a s the p r i m a r y drilling fluid and drilling mud w a s generally

1 pumped into the borehole just p r i o r to sampling.

Samples f r o m soil s t r a t a were obtained with either a 2-in. split-

1 b a r r e l or 3-in. thin-walled tube sampler. The split-barrel sampler was

driven by blows of a falling weight. Penetration of the tube sampler was

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schieved by pushing with the weight of the d r i l l pipe or by blows of a falling

I weight. Samples were removed f r o m the sampler i n the field and then were
examined and classified by our representatives. Concurrently with drilling

1 operations, unconfined compression tests were run on selected specimens of

cohesive soils. Representative segments of m o s t samples w e r e sealed and
1 packaged for transportation to our laboratory i n Houston, Texas.
A brief chronological summary of the field operations a t this location
1 is given on Plate 4.

I SOIL TESTS

I Pertinent physical properties of the foundation soils encountered in

the boring were determined by soil tests performed i n the field and in our

s Houston laboratory. Shear strength, the m o s t important soil property i n a

study of this type, was investigated by unconfined compression tests p e r -

I formed on 11 undisturbed samples of cohesive soils. Water content and unit

d r y weight were determined for each unconfined test specimen. Additional

1 classification tests included the following:

Type of T e s t Number of Tests

1 Water Content 6
Unit D r y Weight 2
1 Plastic and Liquid Limits 12
Grain size, sieve only 1
I Strength test procedures and the manner of presentation of a l l the

I t e s t results a r e described in some detail i n Appendix A. Most of the test

results a r e tabulated on Plate B-1 i n Appendix B and a r e presented in graphi-

1 cal f o r m on the log of boring, Plate 2. A grain s i z e distribution curve for

the sieve analysis i s also presented i n Appendix B.

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I GENERAL SUBSURFACE CONDITIONS

1 Stratification

1 Soil stratigraphy a t this location, as generalized f r o m the boring log

on Plate 2, i s tabulated below:
1 Penetration, f t

,x
Stratum From To Description
I 0 4 Cemented shell fragments and
coral

I I1
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4
6
6
62
Tan silty sand, calcareous
Stiff light g r a y and tan silty cla.

I IV
V
62
91
91
96 .
Hard g r a y and light g r a y clay
Hard tan and light g r a y sandy

I VI 96 103
clay
Hard g r a y clay

I Inclusions and minor color and textural variations i n these generalized s t r a t a

a r e noted on the boring log on Plate 2.

1 Soil Properties

! Stratum I consists of cemented shell fragments and c o r a l which is

geologically classified a s coquina. The underlying granular m a t e r i a l of

I Stratum I1 consists of silty fine sand which h a s a high calcium carbonate

content.

I Strata 111, IV, V and VI consists of clay soils which a r e of medium-

to-high plasticity, and their water content is generally between 20 and 30 p e r -

I cent. These cohesive s t r a t a contain inclusions of calcareous nodules and

a r e interbedded with sandstone s e a m s below 52 f t . The clay soils a r e s t i f f -

I to-very stiff i n consistency to a depth of about 50 f t and hard i n consistency

below this depth. The measured s h e a r strength of the clays is g r e a t e r than

I 1,O ton p e r sq f t and generally ranges f r o m 1.0 to 3.0 ton p e r sq f t . The

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I magnitude of the measured s h e a r strength indicates that the clays a r e over-

I consolidated with respect to present overburden p r e s s u r e .

In-situ Strength Profile

1 The soil data obtained f r o m the boring and laboratory tests were in-

1 terpreted in accordance with the procedure given i n Appendix C to determine

s h e a r strength p a r a m e t e r s for the various soil s t r a t a at each site. The

I in-situ strength profile for the cohesive soils was developed f r o m the s h e a r
test data plotted on Plate 2. The assembled results were visually weighted

I to produce a curve through the data considered to b e s t r e p r e s e n t the m e a s -

u r e d s h e a r strength of the soil. The interpreted in-situ strength profile

1 shown on the left graph of Plate 5 was produced directly f r o m the measured
shear strength trend line without applying any adjustment.

I DESIGN ANALYSIS

I Axial Pile Loads

I Soil-pile Adhesion. The curve of soil-pile adhesion shown i n the

middle graph on Plate 5 was developed f r o m the strength p a r a m e t e r s i n the

1 left graph using the c r i t e r i a described in detail i n Appendix C for both ten-
sile and compressive pile loads. In accordance with Appendix C, soil-pile

I adhesion i n the strong overconsolidated clays to 83-ft penetration was limited

to a maximum value of 0 . 5 ton p e r sq f t . In the strong clays below 8 3 - f t

1 penetration, soil-pile adhesion was limited to the s h e a r strength that would

b e expected for a normally consolidated clay having a strength-vs-depth

I ratio of 0 . 0 0 6 ton p e r sq f t p e r foot of depth. Soil-pile adhesion i n the

cemented granular soils near the mudline was assumed to be the s a m e mag-

1 nitude a s the soil-pile adhesion i n the stiff cohesive m a t e r i a l found below

6-ft penetration, namely 0 . 5 ton p e r s q f t .

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I Unit End Bearing. Computations based on the selected strength

I p a r a m e t e r s shown on the left graph of Plate 6 and the c r i t e r i a i n Appendix

C produced the curve of unit end bearing shown i n the right graph on Plate 5.
I The total computed end bearing can be included i n the total computed com-
p r e s s i v e capacity since the total frictional resistance of the soil-plug inside
I the pile is g r e a t e r than the expected end bearing.
Ultimate Pile Capacity. Computations were made to predetermine
I ultimate compressive and tensile capacities of 30-in. -diameter pipe piles
driven with open ends to various penetrations at the boring location. The
1 computations utilized the soil-pile adhesion and unit end bearing curves p r e -
sented on Plate 5 and were made in accordance with Appendix C. Results of
1 these computations a r e preser-ted on Plate 6 a s curves of ultimate compres-
sive and tensile capacity versus pile penetration.
I F a c t o r s of Safety. A general discussion pertaining to the appropriate
factor of safety to be used in conjunction with the ultimate pile capacity
I curves on Plate 6 i s contained in Appendix C. Since we consider the design
c r i t e r i a to be of less-than-average reliability, we recommend that a factor
I of safety of 3.0 should be applied to normal operating loads, and a factor of
safety of not l e s s than 2 . 0 should be used with respect to maximum s t o r m
I loads. These factors of safety should be used with design loads and the
ultimate compressive and tensile pile capacity curves on Plate 6 to d e t e r -
I mine required pile penetrations.

I Lateral Pile Loads

Assuming that a digital computer solution based on the finite differ-

I ence equation method will be employed in the l a t e r a l load analysis of the

piles, input information of the soil resistance-pile deflection (p-y) charac-

I t e r i s t i c s of the soil was developed f o r 30-in. -diameter pipe piles by the

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I procedure outlined by McClelland''). The p-y characteristics that may be
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I used i n the computer program a r e presented in the f o r m of p-y curves on

Plate 7. The p-y characteristics reflect the assumption of no scour of the

I coquina a t the s e a floor.

In determining the bending moment capacity of a specific pile section

I under l a t e r a l loading, a reduction i n allowable steel s t r e s s m u s t f i r s t be

made to allow for axial pile loads. F o r this purpose, the axial load remain-

I ing i n the pile a t any level is equal to the axial load at the mudline minus the
cumulative soil-pile adhesion above that level. We recommend that the

I cumulative soil-pile adhesion computed using the soil-pile adhesion curve

on Plate 5 should be divided by the selected factor of safety used to determine
I desired pile penetration. In addition to checking of bending s t r e s s e s along the
pile length a s computed for a given l a t e r a l load, pile slope and bending mo-
I ment a t the mudline m u s t be checked for compatibility with corresponding
values for the pile-jacket structure above the mudline.
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INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
I Capacities of driven piles computed using the procedures described

1 in Appendix C and presented on Plate 6 a r e based on the assumption that the

piles can be driven to the desired penetration without the aid of supplemental

I drilling o r jetting. In many c a s e s , especially those involving piles driven

into hard cohesive soils o r rock, the piles cannot be installed by driving

I alone. When techniques other than driving a r e used to aid pile installation,
conditions assumed in computations based on driving alone may not be m e t

I and computed capacities m u s t frequently be adjusted to f i t a s nearly a s pos-

sible actual ins tallation conditions.

I
1 (') McClelland, Bramlette, "Foundations for Fixed Structures", Handbook
of Ocean and Underwater Engineering, 1969, McGraw Hill, p. 8-98.

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I Some of the supplementary pile installation procedures that may be

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used under various circumstances, and the possible effects that these proce- 1.
dures may have on pile capacity, a r e discussed briefly i n the following para- j
I graphs. Application of these o r any other procedures to aid ordinary driving
requires field decisions that take into account many factors beyond the scope
i

1 of this report. It is appropriate to emphasize, however, that the supplemen- I

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vision, considering not only construction expediency but also design I

adequacy.

I E f f e c t of D r i v i n g S h o e
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I A driving shoe may be required a t the pile tip to prevent damage f r o m

hard driving i n the strong formations a t the site. The driving shoe usually
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side pile diameter. The formation plug a s cored by the pile will tend to have
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1 a slightly s m a l l e r diameter than the nominal inside pile diameter when driven
i n hard clays and rock. The skin friction available to produce end bearing i n

I such c a s e s i s uncertain. Therefore, i f driving shoes a r e used, we suggest

that a grout plug be placed above the soil plug to produce the maximum po-

I tential end bearing. The length of the grout plug required may b e computed
by conservatively taking the bond s t r e s s between grout and the steel pile wall
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I to be 25 psi. On this basis, a cement grout plug 10 f t i n length w i l l provide

unit end bearing i n excess of 2 2 . 5 tons p e r sq f t and also r e s i s t a total end

I bearing load of m o r e than 110 tons f o r a 30-in. pipe pile.

R e m o v a l of S o i l P l u g
I Additional pile penetration may be facilitated i n some c a s e s by r e -

1 moval of the soil plug formed inside the pile during initial driving. If the
drilling o r jetting i s limited to loosening o r removal of the soil plug and does

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I not extend below the pile tip, the skin friction mobilized outside of the pile 1,
I w i l l not be affected. However, since the purpose of removing the plug is to
destroy o r limit end bearing during redriving, consideration m u s t be given
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I to the end bearing adequacy of the new plug formed by redriving and to the
possible need for re-establishidg'end bearing by installation of a grout plug.

I The end bearing component of pile capacity can be re.stored by a cement grout
. .
plug a t l e a s t 10 ft long a t the bottom of the pile o r above the new soil plug.
I:

t Pilot Holes

I In some situations, a f t e r an initial pile section h a s been driven to

refusal, redriving to a g r e a t e r penetration can b e achieved effectively a f t e r '
I a pilot hole of a size approaching the inside diameter of the pile is drilled to
a chosen depth below the pile tip. This procedure is applied m o s t success- :;

I fully where the dimensions of the drilled hole can be carefully controlled.
If the drilling process results in any disturbance o r loosening of the mate-
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r i a l which w i l l ultimately surround the pile, the support provided by d i s - 1'

turbed soils to the pile w i l l be l e s s than the unit skin friction and the unit

I end bearing values given on Plate 5. ~

Insert Piles
I W h e r e conditions are not favorable for application of one of the fore-
- frequently a f t e r drilling
I going procedures, installation of a n i n s e r t pile
out the soil plug - provides a practical means for securing g r e a t e r effective
I pile penetration. The curves of unit skin friction and unit end bearing on
Plate 5 can be used to compute the combined capacity of the initially driven

1 pile and a n i n s e r t pile driven through it, provided that'the influence of any
drilling o r jetting to facilitate installation of either pile can be considered

I a s negligible. The two concentric piles a r e usually joined structurally at

the top a f t e r driving has been completed. If the heavy w a l l section of the

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I original pile i s displaced outside of the zone of the maximum moment, the

I i n s e r t pile m u s t be designed to provide supplemental resistance for l a t e r a l

loads a s well a s axial loads.

I CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1 F r o m the findings of our analysis of foundation conditions determined

I f r o m the boring drilled at the platform location, the following conclusions

and recommendations were developed:

I 1) Pile penetration a s selected f r o m computed ultimate capacity

curves given i n this r e p o r t should provide factors of safety of 3 . 0 with re-

I spect to normal operating loads and not l e s s than 2.0 with respect to maxi-

'1 m u m s t o r m loads.

2 ) To accommodate the design normal operating compressive and

iI tensile loads of 340 and 165 kips, respectively, with a factor of safety of
3 . 0 , the required penetration of 30-in. -diameter piles i s 100 f t as deter-
mined f r o m the ultimate compressive capacity curve. F o r tension capacity,

I
1 a l e s s e r penetration of 6 3 f t i s needed.
3) Curves showing the relationship between soil resistance and pile
I deflection (p-y) curves a r e presented for u s e in analyzing the l a t e r a l load
resistance of 30-in. - d i a m e t e r p i l e s b y means of a digital computer solution
I based on the finite difference equation method.
4) The capacity of driven piles installed with the aid of drilling and
1 jetting may be significantly l e s s than the computed capacity so that appro-
priate adjustments i n penetration may be required to compensate for installa-
I tion procedures actually used. Comments a r e made i n this report on the
effects on load capacity produced by supplemental drilling o r jetting to
I facilitate pile installation.

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I BORING
LOCATl ON
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I ~ Arabian

Guff

I ,I Huwoylot

........................... - . . . . . . . . .....
. .

1 \
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SAUDI

I ARABIA

....- . ................ ...... . . ..

.~
A I Juboyl

'-!\:!.... .__.
_..... ......
._

....
. .......
_.
.... .
. .-................................. ........._..__..__I ................ ..: .. .........
.^ ^ ......
,. "~
.~
-.:.
. .....
.._ ..
...
S I T E MAP
B E R R I AREA
Stole 2 0 2 4 6 8 IO Miles
 /5/-9/d
/"
/

BORING NO. 1 PLASTIC WATER LIQUID COHESIVE SHEAR STRENGTH

ARABIAN AMERICAN OIL COMPANY '
BERRI AREA - ARABIAN GULF
M u d l i n e a t E l -34(1.S.L.W.)
+
,
Z
+ LIMIT CONTENT, % LIMIT TONS PER S Q Fi

3.0
1

10

-very calcareous, 17' to 23'

K)

30

!o

%I
-hard with tan sandstone seams below 52'

50

Hard gray & light gray clay with calcareous t

-rock layer, 70' to 72' 70

+
W
W
LL
u)
-with sandstone seams below 81' -
z
W
z
-
a J
n
3
5
'00 3
(103 __
.-i
2
W
m
110- 'IO z
0
- -
0
l-
I-
a a
LT
IM
a
120- I-
w W
z z
W W
a a
130- I30

140- I40

I50 - 150

160- 160

170- I 70

180- 180

I90 - 190

200 - - - 200
LEGEN FOR SI
0 Unconfined Comprer n U"C0"SOl ndrained Triaxiol
Completed at 103-ft penetration (El -137') Miniolure Vane Consolid rained Trioxiat
(Open symbols d < ate remold

LOG O F B O R I N G A N D T E S T R E S U L T S
 . .
I S YMBOL S A N D T E R M S USED O N BORING L O G S
I (SHOWN
S O I L TYPES
IN SYMBOL COLUMN) (SHOWN
S A M P L E R TYPES
IN SAMPLES
~~~~

COLUMN1

I
c Gravel Sand
Predominant
Silt
t y p e s h o w n heavy
Clay Shelby
Tube
Piston Split
Spoon
No
Recovery

c
d
TERMS DESCRIBING CONSISTENCY OR CONDITION

COARSE G R A l N E D SOILS ( m a j o r p o r t i o n retained on NO. 200 sieve): Includes (I) Clean gravels and

I
sands,and (2) silty or c l a y e y gravels e n d sands. C o n d i t i o n is r a t e d according t o r e l a t i v e density. as
d e t e r m i n e d by l a b o r a t o r y tests.

D E S C R I P T I V E TERM RELATIVE DENSITY

I LOOSe
M e d i u m dense
Dense
40
0 to
t o 70%
7 0 t o 100%
40%

I FINE GRAINED S O i L S ( m a j o r p o r t i o n passing NO. 200 sieve): Includes ( 1 ) inorganic and Organic
Silts and clays, ( 2 ) g r a v e l l y . s a n d y , o r s i l t y clays, and (3)c l a y e y Silts. Consistency is r a t e d according
t o shearing strength,as indicated b y penetrometer readings o r b y u n c o n f i n e d compression tests.

1 DESCRIPTIVE TERM,
UNCONFINED
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
T O N / S Q FT

I
very soft le55 t h a n 0.25
Soft 0.25 t o 0.50
Firm 0.50 t o 1.00
Stiff 1-00 t o 2.00

I very s t i f f
Hard
2.00 t o 4.00
4.00 and higher

I
I T E R M S CHARACTERIZING SOIL STRUCTURE

- having
I
Slickensided i n c l i n e d P l a n e s of w e a k n e s s that are S l i c k and glossy in appearance

Fissured - c o n t a i n i n g s h r i n k a g e cracks. f r e q u e n t l y f i l l e d w i t h fine s a n d o r silt;

u s u a l l y more or l e s s veTtica1.

1 Laminated

interbedded
- composed of thin l a y e r s of v a r y i n g color and t e x t u r e .

- c o m p o s e d o f a l t e r n a t e l a y e r s o f d i f f e r e n t s o i l types.

-
I Calcareous

Well g r a d e d
c o n t a i n i n g appreciable q u a n t i t i e s

- having wide r a n g e in g r a i n s i z e s
i n t e r m e d i a t e p a r t i c l e sizes.
of c a l c i u m c a r b o n a t e .

and s u b s t a n t i a l a m o u n t s o f all

I Poorly g r a d e d - predominantly
intermediate
of one grain s i z e , o r h a v i n g a r a n g e of s i z e s w i t h some
size m i s s i n g .

I
I MCCLELLAND
E N G I N E E R S PLATE 3
I
1 -
Time
Date -
From -
To Description of Activity
I June 14, 1969 1220 2400 Traveling from Houqfon, Texas to Dhahron,
Saudi Arabia
I June 15, 1969 0 2300 Traveling from Houston, Texas to Dhahran,
Saudi Arabia

I June 19, 1969

2300
2400
Standby in Dhahran

I June20, 1969 0
0500
0500
1700
Traveling from Dhahran to AMDP-2
Drilling Boring B-I; completed at 103-ft

I 1700 2400
penetration (El -137 )
Standby on AMDP-2

I June 21, 1969 0

1000
1000
1530
Standby on AMDP-2
Traveling from AMDP-2 to Dhahran

I June 22, 1969

1530
0
2400
0750
Standby in Dhahran
Standby in Dhahran
-
I 0750 Patrick H. Torrans departs Dhahran for
Houston, Texas; Don L. Wells standing by
in Dhahran for tank boring-at Ras Tanura

I Marine Terminal

I
I
1
I
I SUMMARY OF FIELD O P E R A T I O N S
Berri Area - Arabian Gulf
I
1
1 MCCLELLAND
E N G I N E E R S PLATE 4
 Penetration Below Mudline, Feet
4 4
10 0 W P h)
0 0 0 0 0 0

vr
-4
W

2
0
I
I
z
F
3
rn
;;I
7J
(n

Penetration Below Mudline, Feet

0. h)
0 0 0

T-
-t
;s
-
r
I
2
r
m
>
U
I
m
E
0
z
4
I
t 1-
I
A
Penetration Below Mudline, Feet

m
4
h) 03 0. P N
0 0 0 0 0 0
r

Ultimate Pile Capacity, Tons

200 400 t 1 800
0
ented Shell
Silt Sand

20
t
-t- I
Silty Clay
+
0
al
I
U
. 40
.-
-
al
K
-a
r'
-2al 60
m

.-+
K
0

+--
+e Clay
al
K
al 80
a

I
Sandy Clay
100
---Clay

120

P I L E C A P A C I T Y CURVES
30-in. Pipe Piles

MECLELLAND
E N G I N E E R S PLATE 6
r!
(i
I# L
7000

I 6000

I 5500

5000
I
.-
c

I $a
-0 4000

I ti-
c
0
e

0 3000

I l
x

I 2000

I 1000

1
I 0
0 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75
Deflection, y , in.

I
I
I
P - Y CURVES

I 30-in. Pipe Piles

I
I
!I

I
I
I
I
I
I
APPENDIX A

I LABORATORY AND FIELD SOIL TESTS

I
1
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
 I
A-1

I
APPENDIX A
I SOIL TESTS

I STRENGTH TESTS

I Unconfined compressions t e s t were conducted in the field and in the

laboratory to determine the strength of cohesive foundation soils. In an un-

I confined compression t e s t , a laterally-unsupported cylindrical soil specimen

i s loaded axially to failure a t a constant r a t e of strain. Axial load is m e a s -

I ured by a calibrated proving ring, and sample deformation is measured by a

dial indicator. The cohesive shear strength is computed a s one-half of the

I maximum observed compressive s t r e s s . The cohesive shear strengths a r e

plotted on Plate 2 and a r e tabulated on Plate B-1, together with the percent

'I s t r a i n at failure and a notation of the type of failure.

I OTHER TESTS

I Plastic and liquid limits were determined for nearly all cohesive s a m -
ples to provide classification information. Natural water content and density

'I determinations were made for each compression t e s t specimen and for two
additional samples. Additional water content determinations were made to

II
'1
complete the water content profile shown on Plate 2. A l l of the r e s u l t s of the
water content t e s t s and plastic and liquid limit t e s t s a r e plotted on Plate 2
and tabulated on Plate B-1 together with r e s u l t s of density determinations.
A grain size analysis was performed on a sample f r o m Stratum I1 for
identification purposes. The results of this t e s t a r e shown graphically on

l1 Plate B-2 in Appendix B.

!I
I
I
I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1
il APPENDIX B

LABORATORY AND FIELD SOIL TEST RESULTS

I
 S U M M A R Y OF T E S T RESULTS

7 I 33
8 43
9 4 4
10 52
11 53
12 63
13 64
14 74
16 81
17 91
18 92
19 102
20 103

i
--
LEGEND h NOTES
BORING NO. 1
TYPE OF
U
R
-- Wishrbd Spsimn
R m O M Spsim TYPE OF
A
B =
B u l ~
Singio S k r Plana
ARABIAN AMERICAN OIL COMPANY
BERRI AREA - ARABIAN GULF
TESl 1
2 - Lhsonurlidotd-Undminsd Trimiol
Cmselkbnd-lkdmind T r i m i d
(0)
FAILWE C
D
*ppndlx B fa Gmin-Size Diihibution oilvs
hhrltipla S k Planes
Vertisol Froctura * *
6) sr Appndix 0 fa stnu-shrrin c w o Mudline at E l -34 (I.S.L.W.)
I
I lH913M A9 H3SMVO3 lN33M3d

.
u'
._
5
0
+
e -
+
W
C
W
L

lH913M A9 H3NM lN33H3d

MCCLELLAND
E N G l N E E R S PLATE B-2
I
I
1
I
1
I
1
1
I APPENDIX C

I CRITERIA FOR PREDETERMINING PILE CAPACITY

(Revised Sept. 1967)

I
I
I
I
I
1
I
I
I
i
I
c- 1
I -

1 APPENDIX C
CRITERIA FOR PREDETERMINING PILE CAPACITY

I INTRODUCTION

I The static method for predetermining the bearing capacity of piles is

based on empirical data gathered f r o m model studies and field load t e s t s and
I interpreted in accordance with accepted soil mechanics theories. The ulti-
m a t e pile capacity, Q , a t a given penetration, D , is the sum of Qs , the
1 shaft o r skin friction load, and Qp , the end bearing o r point load, s o that

I Q = Qs + QP = f A s t qAp (1)

In Eq. 1, As and Ap represent, respectively, the embedded surface a r e a

I and the pile end a r e a ; f and q represent, respectively, the unit skin friction
o r soil-pile adhesion and the unit end bearing. Successful application of the
I static method depends upon proper selection of values of f and q for the par-
ticular combination of soil conditions, pile type, pile dimensions and kind of
I load.
Most of the load t e s t s on which the static method i s based were per-
I formed on piles which w e r e l e s s than 150 f t long and which supported ultimate
t e s t loads of l e s s than 200 tons. The various methods proposed for inter-
I preting the empirical data give generally compatible pile penetrations f o r
ultimate capacities up to 200 tons, but they yield widely divergent penetra-
I tions when extrapolated to ultimate capacities in the o r d e r of 2000 tons, a s
required for many offshore foundation piles.
I Presented h e r e a r e recommended design c r i t e r i a that a r e based upon
our current appraisal of all available evidence. They a r e intended to yield,
I for each set of conditions, a "most probable" relationship between pile ca-
pacity and pile penetration for driven open-end steel pipe piles. Only in
I special c a s e s will the "most probable" also be the "most conservative" of

I
I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
I
I -
c-2

1 the available design choices. The c r i t e r i a stated cover a wide range of soil
conditions and a r e applicable to both compression and tension loads. Revi-

I sions in these c r i t e r i a will be made at any time that available evidence indi-
cates such revisions to be appropriate.

I CLAYEY SOILS

I Shear Strength Evaluation

1 The immediate o r "quick" shear strength of a clay soil is the most

appropriate in- situ strength property for evaluating pile capacity in this type

1 of soil. Typical strength-depth profiles for four types of clay formations

encountered offshore a r e shown on Plate C-1. Usually, the quick shear

I strength i s measured by unconfined compression t e s t s and by miniature vane

tests. Experience has shown that results of either t e s t type a r e influenced

I by disturbance during sampling and by r a t e of strain o r time-to-failure during

the t e s t . In-situ strength in clays of medium sensitivity (such a s found in the

I Gulf of Mexico) can be accurately measured using either unconfined compres-

sion o r miniature vane t e s t s performed on Shelby-tube o r fixed-piston sam-

I ples obtained in one continuous pushing motion, and a time-to-failure of about

ten minutes. This r a t e of loading i s readily achieved with the usual uncon-

I fined compression devices and with motorized vane devices. Manual opera-
tion of the miniature vane device inevitably results in a higher r a t e of s t r a i n

I and typically yields a higher strength measurement by a factor ranging f r o m

1.1 to 1 . 4 . Samples that a r e driven by percussion methods, as required in

I present wire-line sampling, a r e subject to moderate sample disturbance and

consequent reduction in measured strengths to 65 to 85% of undisturbed

1 values. F o r the combination of sampling and testing techniques that may be

employed in current investigations, the strength modification factors indi-

I cated in Table 1 a r e , therefore, recommended for estimating in-situ strength

profiles f r o m measured strength profiles.

I
1 MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
I
c- 3
I -

1 Table 1

I Strength Modification Factors"

Samples Obtained By

I T e s t Type

Unconfined compression
Pushing

1.0
Driving

1.2

I Miniature vane, motorized 1. 0 1.2

Miniature vane, hand 0. 8 1.0

I Results of unconfined compression and miniature vane tests, modified as

1 necessary, a r e usually analyzed jointly. If the modified r e s u l t s of either

test type tend to be consistently g r e a t e r , those results a r e given p r i m a r y

I weight in constructing a generalized in- situ strength profile.

Soil- pile Adhesion

I Rational prediction of soil-pile adhesion for clays by the static

method is based on the combination of three concepts:
I 1. Soil-pile adhesion may be equal to but not g r e a t e r than the

I s h e a r strength indicated by the in- situ strength profile.

2. Soil-pile adhesion i n s t i f f , overconsolidated clay at penetra-

I tions l e s s than about 100 f t may be as low as (and for design
purposes should not exceed) 0. 5 ton p e r s q f t .

I 3. Soil-pile adhesion i n stiff clay below about 100-ft penetration

may be as g r e a t as the s h e a r strength that would be expected
I for a normally consolidated clay.

I
I " The modification factors i n Table 1 a r e based on extensive comparative
sampling and testing a t an onshore site near Venice, La., and at t w o
1 Louisiana offshore sites.

!;
1 MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
I
c-
-4
D
1 The first two concepts were derived from empirical data; the third is a
logical extrapolation from data on which the f i r s t concept is based.

I In normally consolidated o r underconsolidated clay formations, the

soil-pile adhesion curve coincides with the interpreted in- situ s h e a r strength

I profile, a s shown by Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 on P l a t e C-2. In overconsolidated

clay formations, the soil-pile adhesion curve results from application of all

I t h r e e of the foregoing concepts and the following three strength-vs-depth

curves which correspond to them:

1 (a) the in-situ strength profile,

(b) a constant value of 0. 5 ton p e r s q f t , and

1 (c) a strength profile expected f o r a normally consolidated condition.

The rate of s h e a r strength increase with depth in normally consolidated clays

I has been correlated with the clay plasticity characteristics. This c o r r e l a -
tion and other considerations a r e utilized to estimate the strength profile
I that would be expected for a normally consolidated clay having the s a m e
plasticity c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a s the overconsolidated clay. F o r the highly
I plastic, normally consolidated clays in the Gulf of Mexico, s h e a r strength
usually i n c r e a s e s a t the rate of 0. 005 to 0 . 0 0 8 tsf p e r f t of depth. The
I strength profile expected for a normally consolidated clay is drawn on a
common graph with the other two strength curves, as illustrated by Fig. 3
I and Fig. 4 on P l a t e C-2. At any depth, the central strength curve on the
graph is the soil-pile adhesion curve for that depth. The soil-pile adhesion
I curve selected i n this manner is then used to compute the skin friction com-
ponents of pile capacity for driven piles.
D End-bearing Capacity

I The end-bearing resistance of deep piles in clay may be reliably esti-

mated by the following equation:

1 Qp = 9 c Ap (2)

I
1 MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
 I
c-5
-
I
in which Qp i s the ultimate end bearing capacity, c i s the cohesive shear
I strength determined f r o m the in-situ strength profile and Ap is the end a r e a
of the pile.
I
GRANULAR SOILS
I
Soil-pile Friction

I The unit skin friction for a pile driven f o r a limited penetration into
granular soil is customarily computed f r o m the following equation:
1 f = K p tan 6 (3)

I where:
K = coefficient of lateral e a r t h p r e s s u r e
p = effective overburden p r e s s u r e
I 6 = angle of friction between soil and steel

I F o r open-end driven pipe piles, the value of K should be taken a s 0.7 f o r

compressive loads and 0 . 5 for tensile loads. Other design parameters for

I pile capacity computations recommended as "most probable" values for the

granular soils commonly encountered are tabulated on Plate C-3. In con-

I sideration of limited empirical data and in the absence of load t e s t informa-

tion f o r piles having l a r g e penetrations into granular soils, the unit skin

I friction computed by Eq. 3 should be limited to the maximum values listed

in the table on Plate C-3. The design parameters listed in this table a r e

I considered applicable to granular soils in a medium-dense to dense condition.

If the formation i s loose o r very dense, these p a r a m e t e r s should be de-

I creased o r increased, respectively. F o r open-end pipe piles that tend t o

plug, t h e r e will be some i n c r e a s e in the value of K, but this increase should

I be depended upon only in evaluating the capacity of a specific pile for which
accurate data is available concerning plug formation during driving. The

I values of limiting skin friction should not, however, be increased f o r plugged

piles.

1
I I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS

I
I
I
il

I The u s e of jetting o r predrilling to aid pile installation may severely

reduce the l a t e r a l e a r t h p r e s s u r e and therefore the potential frictional sup-

I port of a pile. The density of the soil adjacent to the pile will be lessened to
an uncertain degree depending upon the actual construction technique. In

I capacity computations, the influence of jetting o r predrilling on friction i s

usually allowed for by a reduction in the value of K .

1 Soil-pile adhesion curves for compressive and tensile loads a r e com-

puted using Eq. 3 and the p a r a m e t e r s listed on Plate C - 3 , adjusted when

I appropriate. These curves a r e then used to compute the skin friction com-
ponents of design pile capacity.
1.

I End-bearing Capacity

I
I
I
I
1
I
I P'
The computed value of Qp should be included as part of the compres-
I sive capacity, Q _. of an open-end pipe pile only if the frictional resistance of
the soil plug inside the pile i s expected to be g r e a t e r than Qp . If the soil
I
I
1,

I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
1
c- 7
-
I
I plug inside the pile is removed by jetting or drilling to facilitate pile installa-
tion, the potential end-bearing capacity of the pile can be positively restored

I only by constructing a cement-grout plug or other closure for the pile tip. If
the plug i s not fully restored, end bearing resistance should be discounted.

I FACTORS O F SAFETY

I The magnitude of the factor of safety to be utilized with a curve of

computed ultimate capacity in determining the appropriate pile penetration
I for a given design load should be chosen after giving consideration to several
factors. In general, the factor of safety should increase with:
I 1) the expected frequency or probability of occurrence of the

I design load

2 ) the economic importance of the structure

I 3) any limitations in the completeness or accuracy of informa-

tion pertaining to subsurface materials and properties
I 4) the degree of uncertainty connected with the pile design

I c r i t e r i a used in the computations.

In regard to the last two listed factors, results of pile load t e s t s have

1 frequently shown that the capacities of two adjacent s i m i l a r piles may differ
by 10 to 2 0 percent a s a result of natural minor variations in subsurface ma-

1 t e r i a l s and installation procedures. It follows that computed and actual

ultimate capacities may also differ by 1 0 to 20 percent even when the compu-

I tations a r e based on subsurface data and computation procedures of superior

reliability. The probability of g r e a t e r differences must be anticipated for

I data and procedures of average and less-than-average reliability. Situations

that will create l e s s e r degrees of reliability a r e those which involve large

I and i r r e g u l a r variations in soil strengths, g r e a t extrapolation of current

I ./
/I
I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS I
~

I
I
I
1
ii

I following factors of safety: ( a ) 2. 0, when there is an average level of confi-

dence in both the available subsurface data and the pile design c r i t e r i a ; (b)
~

I 3. 0, when there i s less than average reliability of either the subsurface data
o r the design c r i t e r i a .
~

I F o r maximum possible design loads that might occur once i n the life
of a structure o r for structures that may be reasonably exposed to a calcu-
1

I lated risk of failure, we recommend the following factors of safety: ( a ) 1. 5 ~

I
I factor, it i s our judgement that the c r i t e r i a for computation of pile capacities I
I a r e of less-than-average reliability for granular soils and of average reli-
ability for deep normally consolidated clays. They a r e considered reliably
~

I conservative for stiff-to-hard overconsolidated clay and a r e most reliable

for soft-to-firm clays.

1
I
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1
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1
I
MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS '
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1
I
I APPENDIX

ILLUSTRATIONS

1
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I MCCLELLAND ENGINEERS
 I
I Shear Strength, Tons per Sq F Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0

I -
I .

I 0

In-Situ Strength
Profile -

I 200 - -

I Fig. 1 NORMALLY CONSOLIDATED Fig. 2 UNDERCONSOLIDATED

I Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft

1.0 1.5 2.0
Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft
0.5 I.o 1.5 2.0
O0

I In-Situ Strength
50 - -

'I L
m
-
c
m
E loo-
7
-
c ;I
I .-
0
.-
c
0
.-
0 I
'm 150- 150- \ -
c c
m
a a"
I 200 - 200 -
In-Situ Strength
Profile

I Fig.3 OVERCONSOLIDATED BY EROSION

250
Fig.4 OVERCONSOLIDATED BY DESICCATION

I Notes:
I. Test results shown here represent shear strengths modified in
accordance with Table I for the sampling and testing techniques
1 used.
2. Results of unconfined compression and miniature vane tests are
usually combined and analyzed jointly.

I 3. If either test type tends to consistently yield greater strengths,

results of that test type are given primary weight.

I TYPES OF STRENGTH PROFILES

I IN CLAY FORMATIONS

I MCCLELLAND
E N G I N E E R S PLATE C-1
I
I
I Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft
15
. 2.0

I
I
I
I
I Fig.1 NORMALLY 'CONSOLIDATED Fig. 2 UNDERCONSOLIDATED

I
I Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft Shear Strength, Tons per Sq Ft

I 1.5 2.0

In-Situ Strength -
1 c

I
I
I
Fig.3 OVERCONSOLIDATED BY EROSION Fig. 4 OMFCONSOLIDATED BY DESlCCnTlON

I
I SELECTION OF SOIL-PILE ADHESION CURVE
I IN CLAY FORMATIONS

1 M C CLELLAN C
E N G O N E E R S
PLATE C - 2
I
I
I
I
I Limiting
Skin Friction
Limiting
End Bearing
Soil Type @
- 6
- -
tan 6 fmax, tsf - qmax, tsf
I Clean Sand 35" 30" 0.577 I.o
N'4

40 100

I Silty Sand 30" 25" 0.466 0.85 20 50

Sandy Silt 25" 20° 0.364 0.7 12 30

I Silt 20" 15" 0.268 0.5 8 20

I
I Notes:

I . The coefficient of lateral earth pressure, K, should be taken as 0.7

I for compressive loads and 0.5 for tensile loads.

2. These parameters ore considered applicable to medium-dense to

I dense granular formations.

I
I
I
I RECOMMENDEQ PARAMETERS OF
1 SKIN FRICTION AND END BEARING
FOR DRIVEN PILES IN GRANULAR SOILS
I
I MCCLELLAND
E N G I N E E R S PLATE C-3