The scaling effect of bored pile radius on unit shear capacity

Abstract

The scaling effect, or influence of bored pile (drilled shaft) radius on unit shear capacity at a given displacement, is examined via a review of the literature as well as data collected in the field. It is apparent that the scaling effect of pile-soil load transfer is a measurable phenomenon on both the small scale and large scale. Since results from smaller-radius bored pile load tests are often used for the design of larger radius production piles, it may be advisable to scale down the unit shear capacity obtained from test results by the ratio of the test to production pile radii to conservatively account for the scaling effect.