Pile Working Load 1

[NBRY1]

What is the definition of 'working load' in pile design?
I'm assuming it is some sort of unfactored load but would like to know specifically how it is determined
by the structural engineer.

thx.

 

[phamENG]

Not a term that I use - where'd you find it?

Working stress is the old ASD-ish design methodology for concrete, and your unfactored load thought lines up with that.

Working Load Limit is a term used in rigging equipment to define the max anticipated load - also unfactored.

So I'd say you're right. If somebody told you the working load on a pile is X kips, my first guess would be that they are talking about a loading determined from the ASD combinations in the code. If this is in relation to a specific situation, I'd recommend asking the person who called it working load to make sure you're on the same page.

 

[HTURKAK]

Working load or Safe load is determined by dividing the calculated or tested ultimate resistance of the pile to
a safety factor which is in general F.S.=2.5

The corresponding settlement is unlikely to exceed 10 mm.

 

[jdonville]

I've always assumed it's the straight unfactored load.

 

[HTURKAK]

I've always assumed it's the straight unfactored load.

The thread was the working load for the pile...

Regarding the working load for the structure , yes You are right . Unfactored load G+Q . Moreover, for

multistorey buildings G+ 0.3 Q. The reduction factor may vary for different codes.

 

[phamENG]

In my neck of the woods, what HTURKAK is referring to is called the pile's "Allowable Load." For driven piles, FoS is typically 2.0. Though that can be adjusted depending on the size of the structure, use, impact of failure, etc.

 

[BridgeSmith]

Under the AASHTO Standard Specification, the ASD structural capacity of steel piles (assumed fully braced) was 0.25AsFy (25% of yield capacity). Under the LRFD spec, it 0.5AsFy.

Rod Smith, P.E., The artist formerly known as HotRod10

 

[r13]

Working load is the real load, no factor nor safety concerns. It consists of expected load due to human activity, weight of material, and environment (snow, rain...). It can be said as the code specified design loads, combined without load factors.

 

[EireChch]

It think it’s evident it can mean many things to many people depending where you are from!