ASTM D3966/D3966M-22

Standard Test Methods for Deep Foundation Elements Under Static Lateral Load

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Field tests provide the most reliable relationship between the static lateral load applied to a deep foundation and the resulting lateral movement. Test results may also provide information used to assess the distribution of lateral resistance along the element and the long-term load-deflection behavior. The foundation engineer may evaluate the test results to determine if, after applying the appropriate factors, the element or group of elements has an ultimate lateral capacity and a deflection at service load satisfactory to satisfy specific foundation requirements. When performed as part of a multiple-element test program, the foundation engineer may also use the results to assess the viability of different sizes and types of foundation elements and the variability of the test site.  
5.2 The analysis of lateral test results obtained using proper instrumentation helps the foundation engineer characterize the variation of element-soil interaction properties, such as the coefficient of horizontal subgrade reaction, to estimate bending stresses and lateral deflection over the length of the element for use in the structural design of the element.  
5.3 If feasible, without exceeding the safe structural load on the element or element cap (hereinafter unless otherwise indicated, “element” and “element group” are interchangeable as appropriate), the maximum load applied should reach a failure load from which the foundation engineer may determine the lateral load capacity of the element. Tests that achieve a failure load may help the designer improve the efficiency of the foundation by reducing the foundation element-length, quantity, or size.  
5.4 If deemed impractical to apply lateral test loads to an inclined element, the foundation engineer may elect to use lateral test results from a nearby vertical element to evaluate the lateral capacity of the inclined element.  
5.5 The scope of this standard does not include analysis for foundation lateral capacity, but...
SCOPE
1.1 The test methods described in this standard measure the lateral deflection of an individual vertical or inclined deep foundation element or group of elements when subjected to static lateral loading. These methods apply to all deep foundations, or deep foundation systems as they are practical to test. The individual components of which are referred to herein as elements that function as, or in a manner similar to, drilled shafts, micropiles, cast-in-place piles (augered-cast-in-place piles, barrettes, and slurry walls), driven piles, such as pre-cast concrete piles, timber piles or steel sections (steel pipes or H-beams) or any number of other element types, regardless of their method of installation. Although the test methods may be used for testing single elements or element groups, the test results may not represent the long-term performance of the entire deep foundation system.  
1.2 This standard provides minimum requirements for testing deep foundation elements under static lateral load. Project plans, specifications, provisions, or any combination thereof may provide additional requirements and procedures as needed to satisfy the objectives of a particular test program. The engineer in charge of the foundation design, referred to herein as the foundation engineer, shall approve any deviations, deletions, or additions to the requirements of this standard. (exception: the test load applied to the testing apparatus shall not exceed the rated capacity established by the engineer who designed the testing apparatus).  
1.3 Apparatus and procedures herein designated “optional” may produce different test results and may be used only when approved by the foundation engineer. The word “shall” indicates a mandatory provision, and the word “should” indicates a recommended or advisory provision. Imperative sentences indicate mandatory provisions.  
1.4 The foundation engineer should interpret the test results obtained f...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2021
• ICS: 93.020 - Earthworks. Excavations. Foundation construction. Underground works
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.11 - Deep Foundations

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3966/D3966M − 22
Standard Test Methods for
1
Deep Foundation Elements Under Static Lateral Load
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3966/D3966M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.5 An engineer (qualified to perform such work) shall
design and approve all loading apparatus, loaded members and
1.1 The test methods described in this standard measure the
support frames. The foundation engineer shall design or
lateral deflection of an individual vertical or inclined deep
specify the test procedures.The text of this standard references
foundation element or group of elements when subjected to
notesandfootnotes,whichprovideexplanatorymaterial.These
static lateral loading. These methods apply to all deep
notesandfootnotes(excludingthoseintablesandfigures)shall
foundations,ordeepfoundationsystemsastheyarepracticalto
not be considered as requirements of the standard. This
test.The individual components of which are referred to herein
standard also includes illustrations and appendices intended
as elements that function as, or in a manner similar to, drilled
only for explanatory or advisory use.
shafts, micropiles, cast-in-place piles (augered-cast-in-place
1.6 Units—The values stated in either SI units or inch-
piles, barrettes, and slurry walls), driven piles, such as pre-cast
pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The
concrete piles, timber piles or steel sections (steel pipes or
values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents;
H-beams) or any number of other element types, regardless of
therefore,eachsystemshallbeusedindependentlyoftheother.
their method of installation.Although the test methods may be
Combining values from the two systems may result in non-
used for testing single elements or element groups, the test
conformance with the standard.
results may not represent the long-term performance of the
entire deep foundation system.
1.7 The gravitational system of inch-pound units is used
when dealing with inch-pound units. In this system, the pound
1.2 This standard provides minimum requirements for test-
[lbf] represents a unit of force [weight], while the unit for mass
ing deep foundation elements under static lateral load. Project
is slug. The rationalized slug unit is not given, unless dynamic
plans, specifications, provisions, or any combination thereof
[F=ma] calculations are involved.
may provide additional requirements and procedures as needed
to satisfy the objectives of a particular test program. The
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
engineer in charge of the foundation design, referred to herein
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
as the foundation engineer, shall approve any deviations,
Practice D6026.
deletions, or additions to the requirements of this standard.
1.8.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected,
(exception: the test load applied to the testing apparatus shall
recorded and calculated in this standard are regarded as the
not exceed the rated capacity established by the engineer who
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
designed the testing apparatus).
significant digits that should generally be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
1.3 Apparatus and procedures herein designated “optional”
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
may produce different test results and may be used only when
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
approved by the foundation engineer. The word “shall” indi-
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
cates a mandatory provision, and the word “should” indicates
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
a recommended or advisory provision. Imperative sentences
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
indicate mandatory provisions.
methods for engineering data.
1.4 The foundation engineer should interpret the test results
1.9 The method used to specify how data are collected,
obtained from the procedures of this standard to predict the
calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to
actual performance and adequacy of elements used in the
theaccuracytowhichthedatacanbeappliedindesignorother
constructed foundation.
uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this
standard i
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
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Designation: D3966/D3966M − 07 (Reapproved 2013) D3966/D3966M − 22
Standard Test Methods for
Deep Foundations Foundation Elements Under Static
1
Lateral Load
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3966/D3966M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
ε NOTE—Designation was editorially corrected to match units information in June 2013.
1. Scope
1.1 The test methods described in this standard measure the lateral deflection of a an individual vertical or inclined deep
foundation element or group of elements when subjected to static lateral loading. These methods apply to all deep foundations,
or deep foundation systems as they are practical to test. The individual components of which are referred to herein as
“pile(s),”elements that function as, or in a manner similar to driven piles or cast in place piles, to, drilled shafts, micropiles,
cast-in-place piles (augered-cast-in-place piles, barrettes, and slurry walls), driven piles, such as pre-cast concrete piles, timber
piles or steel sections (steel pipes or H-beams) or any number of other element types, regardless of their method of installation,
and installation. Although the test methods may be used for testing single piles or pile groups. Theelements or element groups, the
test results may not represent the long-term performance of a deep foundation.the entire deep foundation system.
1.2 These test methods provide This standard provides minimum requirements for testing deep foundations foundation elements
under static lateral load. Plans, Project plans, specifications, provisions, or combinations thereof prepared by a qualified engineer
any combination thereof may provide additional requirements and procedures as needed to satisfy the objectives of a particular test
program. The engineer in responsible charge of the foundation design, referred to herein as the foundation engineer, shall approve
any deviations, deletions, or additions to the requirements of these test methods.this standard. (exception: the test load applied to
the testing apparatus shall not exceed the rated capacity established by the engineer who designed the testing apparatus).
1.3 These test methods allow the following test procedures:
Procedure Test Section
A Standard Loading 8.1.2
B Excess Loading (Optional) 8.1.3
C Cyclic Loading (Optional) 8.1.4
D Surge Loading (Optional) 8.1.5
E Reverse Loading (Optional) 8.1.6
F Reciprocal Loading (Optional) 8.1.7
G Specified Lateral Movement (Optional) 8.1.8
H Combined Loading (Optional) 8.1.9
1.3 Apparatus and procedures herein designated “optional” may produce different test results and may be used only when
approved by the foundation engineer. The word “shall” indicates a mandatory provision, and the word “should” indicates a
recommended or advisory provision. Imperative sentences indicate mandatory provisions.
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.11 on Deep Foundations.
Current edition approved July 1, 2013Jan. 1, 2022. Published July 2013February 2022. Originally approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
ɛ1
D3966 – 07.07(2013) . DOI: 10.1520/D3966_D3966M-07R13E01.10.1520/D3966_D3966M-22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D3966/D3966M − 22
1.4 A qualified geotechnical The foundation engineer should interpret the test results obtained from the procedures of these test
methods so as this standard to predict the actual performance and adequacy of pileselements used in the constructed foundation.
See Appendix X1 for comments regarding some of the factors influencing the interpretation of test results.
1.5 A qualified engineer An engineer (qualified to perform such work) shall design and approve all loading apparatus, loaded
members, support frames, and members and support frames. The foundation engineer shall design or specify the test procedures.
The text of these test methods this standard references notes and footnotes, which provide explanatory material. These notes and
footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the test methods.
...