Serviceability limit state design of deep foundations

Although the settlement of deep foundations (piles) is not generally a concern if the piles are driven to refusal, settlement can become a design issue if no stiff substratum is encountered. This paper investigates the reliability-based design factors required for the serviceability limit state design of deep foundations. The goals of the paper are first to develop a probabilistic deep foundation model, which includes the effects of spatial variability and which is validated by simulation, and second to recommend the geotechnical resistance factors required to achieve specified target reliability indices against excessive settlement of deep foundations.