Belled Pile Spec

Particular Specification for Large Diameter Bored Piles with Bell-outs
1.0 Definition
Large Diameter Bored Piles with Bell-outs are piles of a diameter exceeding
600 mm formed by boring, chiselling or grabbing with an enlarged base
formed by under-reaming, plus filling with concrete. The bell-out at the pile
base shall be formed within the bedrock with the use of a reverse circulation
drill incorporating an under-reaming head.
2.0 Design Requirements
2.1 Design Assumptions
The theoretical safe loading capacity of large diameter bored piles with
bell-out shall be the allowable bearing pressure on bedrock times the
pile base area. Combining the end-bearing capacity and rock socket
side resistance to increase the load-carrying capacity shall not be
allowed.
The presumed allowable maximum bearing pressure of piles on

bedrock shall be in accordance with Clause 5.19 (iv) of the General
Specification for Building. Large Diameter Bored Piles with Bell-outs
shall not be founded on rocks inferior to Grade III.
The use of presumptive values in accordance with Clause 5.19 (iv) of

the General Specification for Building does not preclude the
requirement for consideration of settlement of the structure.
The gradient of bell-out shall not exceed 30 degrees from vertical, and
the diameter of pile at bell-out shall not exceed 1.5 times the diameter
of pile shaft. The bell-out shall start at 300 mm below the bedrock
level (see Fig. 1). In order to achieve good quality concrete, the
diameter of piles at bell-out shall not exceed 3.75 m.
* Notwithstanding GS Clause 5.04(i), the average compressive stress

of concrete pile shaft imposed by the working load shall not exceed
25% of the design grade strength of the concrete or 9.0 MPa whichever
is smaller.
OR
* The average compressive stress of concrete pile shaft imposed by the

working load shall not exceed 25% of the design grade strength of the
concrete or 7.5 MPa whichever is smaller.
* delete as appropriate
Structural Engineering Branch, Arch. SD Page2 of 5 File code:SEI0307.doc
SE Instruction No. 03/07 WWL/MKW
Issue Date : September 2007 Revision Date :
The Contractor shall satisfy himself that the above method of
calculating the theoretical safe loading capacity provides sufficient
factor of safety in his design. Should he consider that this method does
not provide an adequate factor of safety in his design, he shall submit
an alternative method of calculations for the approval of the
Supervising Officer (SO).
2.2 Reinforcement Detail
Reinforcement should be provided as shown in Fig. 1. The depth ‘H’

in Fig. 1 is bell-out tool dependent. It shall be verified on site and
agreed with the SO before commencement of pile installation.
However, the effect of reinforcement shall not be included in
calculating the bearing capacity of pile.
2.3 Drilling before Construction
Site borings to pre-determine the piles founding levels shall be carried

out by an independent Ground Investigation Contractor from Group I
and Group II of the List of Approved Suppliers of Materials and
Specialist Contractors for Public Works – Ground Investigation Field
Work Category. Drill hole(s) (one for pile diameter less than or equal
to 2.5 m and two for pile diameter greater than 2.5 m) shall be sunk at
each bored pile position to determine the pile founding level. For this
purpose, continuous rock core samples of N size with length not less
than 5 m plus the socket length (as defined in Fig. 1) shall be taken
below the bedrock level for inspection. However, this predicted
founding level cannot be considered as final and the actual rock quality
at base of pile should be inspected and verified during pile excavation
before approval.
2.4 Other Requirements
The requirements related to Large Diameter Bored Piles as stipulated

in the General Specification for Building apply equally to Large
Diameter Bored Piles with Bell-out.
3.0 Testing
3.1 Ultrasonic Echo Sounding Test
Ultrasonic Echo Sounding Test shall be carried out by an approved

independent testing laboratory employed by the Contractor to check
the shaft and bell-out profile, dimensions and verticality of each bored
pile prior to installation of reinforcement cage and concreting.
3.2 Coring Test for the Pile Under-ream
Carry out coring tests outside the pile shaft and within the enlarged
base areas in accordance with Clause 5.29 of the General Specification
for Building to investigate the integrity of the pile under-ream as
directed by the SO.
4.0 Controlling and Monitoring the Verticality and Alignment of Bored Piles
The Contractor shall submit a detailed method statement and procedures for
controlling and monitoring the verticality and alignment of piles for the SO’s
approval before commencement of pile installation.
During the pile installation, tolerance for verticality of each pile shall be
frequently checked as directed by the SO. In case the deviation exceeding the
allowable tolerance, the Contractor shall propose method of rectification for
the SO’s approval prior to further pile installation.
5.0 Design Submissions
In addition to those stated in Clause 5.02 of the General Specification for

Building and 4.0 above, submit 2 copies of each of the following with the
design submissions:-
a. Details of boring method and equipment.

b. Details of concrete mix.
c. Sequence and details of concreting operation.
No piling works shall commence on site unless the design submissions are
approved by the SO.

Fig. 1 Typical detail of large diameter bored pile with bell-out


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What is the purpose of drilling boreholes before construction?

What is the purpose of drilling boreholes before construction?

What tests are required to check the quality of the pile construction?

What tests are required to check the quality of the pile construction?

Particular Specification for Large Diameter Bored Piles with Bell-outs

2.0 Design Requirements

2.1 Design Assumptions

The presumed allowable maximum bearing pressure of piles on

The use of presumptive values in accordance with Clause 5.19 (iv) of

* Notwithstanding GS Clause 5.04(i), the average compressive stress

* The average compressive stress of concrete pile shaft imposed by the

2.2 Reinforcement Detail

Reinforcement should be provided as shown in Fig. 1. The depth ‘H’

2.3 Drilling before Construction

Site borings to pre-determine the piles founding levels shall be carried

2.4 Other Requirements

The requirements related to Large Diameter Bored Piles as stipulated

3.1 Ultrasonic Echo Sounding Test

Ultrasonic Echo Sounding Test shall be carried out by an approved

5.0 Design Submissions

In addition to those stated in Clause 5.02 of the General Specification for

a. Details of boring method and equipment.

Structural Engineering Branch, Arch. SD Page4 of 5 File code:SEI0307.doc

Structural Engineering Branch, Arch. SD Page5 of 5 File code:SEI0307.doc

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