Evaluation of the “Unified” CPT-based Axial Pile Capacity Design Method for Driven Piles in Clay using New Case Studies

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4. Evaluation of the “Unified” CPT-based Axial Pile Capacity Design Method for Driven Piles in Clay using New Case Studies

The new Unified CPT-based method for estimating the axial capacity of driven piles in clay was proposed by Lehane et al (2022). The method was developed through a Joint Industry Project (JIP), which led to the creation of a Unified database of high-quality pile load tests in sand and clay. This database is approved by key representatives from multiple organisations across the offshore energy sector. The method for clay was developed during the second phase of the JIP, after the establishment of a Unified method for sands. This paper demonstrates how the method performs in practice for a variety of real-life offshore clay profiles published by the industry. Results are compared with those from other common methods, such as the original API alpha method, the modified NGI alpha method including the effects of plasticity and the effective stress UWA and Fugro methods. The focus is on soil profiles dominated by clay layers; however, some interlayered profiles are also included to show how the sand and clay methods perform in tandem for typical offshore project soil profiles. Key differences between the results from these methods are discussed, and the applicability of the unified method for pile design in clay evaluated.

5th International Symposium on Frontiers in Offshore Geotechnics (ISFOG2025)

10 - Jacket pin piles design: capacity, long-term cyclic loading, seismic loads