Estimation of Vertical Capacity of Single Piles Considering Uncertainty

Abstract

The uncertainty in soil parameters and the models that are used for predicting the vertical load-carrying capacity of single piles are addressed. The uncertainty is expressed in terms of fuzzy numbers and incorporated explicitly in the solution process. A new approach is developed by which the model uncertainty, the uncertainty associated with different empirical methods for predicting pile capacity, is reduced through the use of an aggregation technique. The weights used in the aggregation are determined on the basis of sensitivity analysis of each pile-capacity prediction model. Case studies are presented to illustrate the new approach and the developed computer program. The comparison between the predicted and the measured ultimate pile capacity indicates that the predicting capability of the developed computer program is very good.