• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.5-13
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• 2015

For the bearing capacity evaluation, dynamic pile tests instead of static pile tests have been commonly used in embedded piles, which are known to have low noise and low vibration construction method. The objective of this study is to analyze the bearing capacity and penetration behaviors of embedded piles, which are constructed in different ground conditions, by using force and velocity signals obtained in the final blows during construction of embedded piles. For the dynamic pile analyses, the CAse Pile Wave Analysis Program (CAPWAP) and Wave Equation Analysis of Piles (WEAP) have been commonly used. In this study, the CAPWAP and WEAP are used for the analyses of the dynamic pile tests, which are conducted on embedded piles. The input values, output values, and force-velocity graphs of CAPWAP determined by analyzing the measured force-velocity signals are investigated. In addition, similar force-velocity singals are obtained from the WEAP by analyzing the input values of the WEAP. Considering the subsurface investigation results around the pile tips, if the N-value increases exponentially along the depth, toe quake value should be small, and therefore large bearing capacity is identified. On the contrary, if the N-value increases linearly, the bearing capacity is small because of large toe quake value. Furthermore, the stiffness of hammer cushion and pile cushion, which is difficult to find correct values, is recommended lower than 500 kN/mm. This study demonstrates that the results of WEAP may be similar to those of CAPWAP and the WEAP can be used to estimate the bearing capacity of embedded piles.