Pile Vertical Load Test
(Static Load Test)

Static vertical compression load test on piles to determine ultimate load capacity and load-settlement behaviour — the gold standard for pile acceptance testing on infrastructure projects.

Overview

What is the Pile Vertical Load Test?

The Pile Vertical Static Load Test is the most reliable method for determining the actual load-carrying capacity of a pile. A known static load is applied in increments to the pile head using a hydraulic jack reacting against kentledge or anchor piles, and the resulting settlement is measured precisely at each load increment.

Conducted as per IS 2911 Part 4 and ASTM D1143, this test provides actual load-settlement curves used for design verification and acceptance. Global Lab conducts static load tests using calibrated hydraulic jacks, load cells and precise dial gauge/LVDT settlement measurement systems.

Gold Standard Test

Most reliable method — actual measured load-settlement behaviour under real conditions.

Calibrated Load Cells

All jacks and load cells NABL-calibrated for accurate force measurement.

Precise Settlement Measurement

Dial gauges and LVDTs measure settlement to 0.01mm accuracy.

Ultimate Capacity Determination

Load applied to failure or 1.5× design load per IS 2911 acceptance criteria.

NABL Certified Reports

All test results issued on NABL-accredited letterhead per IS 2911 / ASTM D1143.

All Pile Types

Suitable for bored, driven, CFA and micro piles up to large diameters.

Test in Action

Pile Vertical Load Test — Site Images

Kentledge Setup for Static Load Test

Hydraulic Jack and Load Cell Installation

Load-Settlement Curve Recorded on Site

Test Procedure

How the Pile Vertical Load Test is Conducted

1

Test Setup — Kentledge or Anchor Piles

Reaction system (kentledge dead weight or anchor piles) is set up to provide resistance against the applied load.
2

Reference Beam & Instrument Installation

Reference beams are erected independently. Dial gauges or LVDTs are fixed to measure pile head settlement.
3

Hydraulic Jack & Load Cell Placement

Calibrated hydraulic jack and load cell are positioned between pile head and reaction beam/kentledge.
4

Incremental Load Application

Load is applied in increments (IS 2911: 20% of safe load per stage). Settlement is recorded at each stage after stabilisation.
5

Load-Settlement Analysis & Reporting

Load-settlement curve is plotted. Failure load, safe load and elastic/plastic settlement are determined. NABL report issued within 7 days.

Standards & Specifications

Applicable Test Standards

Standard	Title	Scope	Type
IS 2911 Part 4	Code of Practice for Design and Construction of Pile Foundations — Load Test	Static Load Test	Indian Standard
ASTM D1143	Standard Test Methods for Deep Foundations Under Static Axial Compressive Load	Compression Test	ASTM
BS EN ISO 22477-1	Geotechnical Investigation and Testing — Testing of Geotechnical Structures	Foundation Testing	European Standard
ASCE 20-96	Standard Guidelines for Design and Installation of Pile Foundations	Design Reference	ASCE

Applications

Where is the CAPO Test Used?

Acceptance testing of working piles for NHAI, Railways and government projects

Design verification for high-rise building foundations

Investigation of piles showing anomalous dynamic test results

Calibration of dynamic load test results for project-specific correlation

Testing of large-diameter bored piles where dynamic testing is not feasible

Post-construction verification for critical infrastructure foundations

Why Choose Global Lab

Our Advantages

NABL Accredited ReportsGovernment-accepted certificates for all statutory and contractual requirements.

Complete Test Setup TeamFull kentledge, anchor pile and instrumentation setup managed by our engineers.

Autovity Digital ReportsAccess load-settlement curves and test data digitally from any device.

Experienced Foundation Engineers15+ years of pile load testing on highways, metro, ports and high-rise projects.

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

Combined Testing PackagesStatic + Dynamic + Integrity test packages for complete foundation assessment.

Pile Vertical Load Test(Static Load Test)