Foundations & Piles

CPT Pile Capacity (LCPC & Eslami–Fellenius)

Axial pile capacity direct from a CPT sounding by the LCPC (Bustamante & Gianeselli) and Eslami–Fellenius methods, with capacity versus embedded length.

Bustamante & Gianeselli (1982)Eslami & Fellenius (1997)Robertson (2009)

Inputs

Demo

1. Pile

Cross-Section

Diameter D (m)

Embedded Length L (m)

Below the CPT start (ground surface)

LCPC Pile Category

Factor of Safety

Shaft Ignored at Top (m)

Casing, predrilling or scour

E–F Toe Influence Zone

LCPC careful execution (higher fs limits)

2. Site

Soil Unit Weight γ (kN/m³)

For overburden stress in the Ic classification

Water Table Depth (m)

Cone Net Area Ratio a

qt = qc + u2(1 − a)

3. CPT Data

Paste columns of depth (m), q_c (MPa), f_s (kPa) and optionally u₂ (kPa), separated by tabs, commas or spaces. Header lines are ignored, so data can be pasted straight from a spreadsheet or a CPT export.

No readings yet.

Results

Enter the pile size and length and paste a CPT sounding above, or click a Demo preset, to compute the axial capacity.

Theory and formulae

Direct CPT Pile Design Methods

About this calculator

This free cpt pile capacity calculator runs entirely in your browser: what you enter is never uploaded. Use the calculation steps and the theory section to check the working, and print a calculation sheet with the inputs, results and formulae for your records.

Methods and references: Bustamante & Gianeselli (1982), Eslami & Fellenius (1997), Robertson (2009).

Topics: cpt, cptu, pile capacity, lcpc, bustamante, eslami fellenius, direct cpt method, shaft resistance, toe resistance, driven pile, bored pile.

Engineering notice: Results are for preliminary estimation, screening and education. All inputs and outputs must be independently verified by a qualified professional engineer before use in any design or construction decision. Read the full disclaimer