A Comparison of Design Practice of Bored Piles/Drilled Shafts Between Europe and North America-Article

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The paper compares bored pile design and construction practices in Europe and North America. Both regions face increasingly demanding projects—including taller buildings, major infrastructure, difficult sites and complex loading—and are placing greater emphasis on testing and quality assurance.<br /><br />Design frameworks differ. In the United States, requirements vary by project type and jurisdiction: highway bridges generally follow AASHTO, while buildings, railways and other sectors use different codes and guidance. In the European Union, Eurocode 7 provides a shared framework, but national annexes retain country-specific methods, safety factors and design approaches. In both regions, local practices remain influential; some differences reflect geology, while others persist largely through historical precedent.<br /><br />Site investigation methods and coverage also vary. U.S. investigations commonly use borings, SPT and rock coring; European practice additionally makes extensive use of CPT and pressuremeter testing in suitable ground. Investigation quality is often lower or less comprehensive on commercial projects than on major public works. Approaches to subsurface risk and responsibility likewise depend on local regulations and contract arrangements.<br /><br />Construction details strongly affect pile performance, yet design methods do not always account consistently for differences in drilling fluids, casing, borehole conditions and base cleaning. Reinforcement detailing and concrete specifications also vary. In both regions, concrete must balance flow and workability with resistance to segregation, while congested reinforcement can create construction difficulties.<br /><br />The authors conclude that both regions share the same broad challenges, despite differing codes. More consistent attention to construction effects, site-specific verification, load testing and post-construction integrity testing is needed to ensure reliable performance.

Keywords

bored pile

deep foundations

Europe

North America

Eurocode 7

AASHTO

site investigation

load testing

quality assurance

construction practices