Improvement of tip analysis model for drilled shafts in cohesionless soils

An analysis model for predicting the tip bearing capacity of drilled shafts in cohesionless soils is improved in this study. The evaluation is based on large amounts of drilled shaft load test data. Assessment on the analysis model reveals a greater variation in two coefficients, namely, the overburden bearing capacity factor ($N_q$) and the bearing capacity modifier for soil rigidity (${\zeta}_{qr}$). These factors are modified from the back analysis of drilled shaft load test results. Different effective shaft depths and interpreted capacities at various loading stages (i.e., low, middle, and high) are adopted for the back calculation. Results show that the modified bearing capacity coefficients maintain their basic relationship with soil effective friction angle ($\bar{\phi}$), in which the $N_q$ increases and ${\zeta}_{qr}$ decreases as $\bar{\phi}$ increases. The suggested effective shaft depth is limited to 15B (B = shaft diameter) for the evaluation of effective overburden pressure. Specific design recommendations for the tip bearing capacity analysis of drilled shafts in cohesionless soils are given for engineering practice.