Pile Pullout Load Test
(Tensile Load Test)

Static tensile load test on piles to determine their resistance to upward (pullout) forces — critical for piles subject to uplift from wind, buoyancy, seismic or machinery vibration loads.

Overview

What is the Pile Pullout Load Test?

The Pile Pullout Load Test (Tensile Load Test) applies a static upward tensile load to the pile head to determine the pile's resistance to pullout. The test measures the pullout capacity which is governed primarily by skin friction along the pile shaft — end bearing does not contribute to tensile resistance.

Conducted as per ASTM D3689 and IS 2911 Part 4, this test is essential for transmission towers, masts, tanks, basement raft foundations and structures in flood-prone or coastal areas subject to buoyancy uplift. Global Lab uses calibrated hydraulic jacks with tensile reaction frames for accurate pullout load measurement.

Uplift Capacity Determination

Directly measures the pile's resistance to upward forces — not obtainable from compression tests.

Skin Friction Assessment

Pullout resistance is purely skin friction — provides direct measurement of shaft resistance.

Critical for Uplift Structures

Essential for transmission towers, masts, jetties and coastal structures subject to wave uplift.

Calibrated Reaction Frame

Tensile reaction frame designed and calibrated per ASTM D3689 requirements.

NABL Certified Reports

All results issued on NABL-accredited letterhead per IS 2911 / ASTM D3689.

Combined with Compression Test

Often conducted alongside compression test on same pile for full capacity assessment.

Test in Action

Pile Pullout Load Test — Site Images

Tensile Reaction Frame Setup

Load Cell and Jack Assembly

Uplift Movement Measurement

Test Procedure

How the Pile Pullout Load Test is Conducted

1

Tensile Reaction Frame Setup

A steel reaction frame is anchored to the ground or to reaction piles on either side of the test pile.
2

Hydraulic Jack & Load Cell Installation

Calibrated hydraulic jack (inverted) and load cell are placed between the pile head and reaction frame to apply upward load.
3

Reference Beam & LVDT Setup

Independent reference beams and LVDTs are installed to measure pile head uplift movement precisely.
4

Incremental Tensile Load Application

Tensile load is applied in increments per ASTM D3689/IS 2911. Uplift movement is recorded after stabilisation.
5

Failure/Ultimate Load & Reporting

Load is increased until pullout failure (rapid uplift) or 2× safe tensile load. Load-uplift curve plotted. NABL report issued within 7 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
ASTM D3689	Standard Test Methods for Deep Foundations Under Static Axial Tensile Load	Pullout Test	ASTM
IS 2911 Part 4	Code of Practice for Design and Construction of Pile Foundations — Load Test	Pile Load Test	Indian Standard
BS EN ISO 22477-1	Geotechnical Investigation — Testing of Geotechnical Structures — Part 1	Foundation Testing	European Standard
IS 2911 Part 1	Design and Construction of Pile Foundations	Pile Design	Indian Standard

Applications

Where is the CAPO Test Used?

Transmission tower and high mast foundations subject to wind uplift

Basement raft foundations in waterlogged areas subject to buoyancy uplift

Jetty and marine structure piles subject to wave and tidal uplift forces

Seismic zone structures where piles experience tensile forces during earthquakes

Overhead water tank foundations and elevated structures

Guy wire anchor piles for masts, pylons and cable-stayed bridges

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsLegally valid certificates for all statutory and contractual requirements.

Custom Reaction Frame DesignReaction frames designed for each pile size and required tensile load.

Autovity Digital ReportsLoad-uplift curves and test data accessible digitally from any device.

Experienced Foundation EngineersSpecialists in tensile pile testing for towers, marine and seismic projects.

Pan-India CoverageTeams across 7 lab locations for rapid project mobilisation.

Combined Testing PackagesPullout + Compression + Dynamic + Integrity tests as a complete package.

Pile Pullout Load Test(Tensile Load Test)