<![CDATA[Precast concrete square piles are widely used as pile foundation elements in Indonesia, particularly in silty soil conditions. In practice, there is limited laboratory test data, leading to reliance on empirical correlations derived from field soil investigation data. This study evaluates the axial behavior of a precast concrete square pile embedded in silty soil via three-dimensional (3D) finite element modeling using the Hardening Soil model, validated against static load test data. Soil stiffness and strength parameters were derived from limited laboratory test results supported with empirical correlations. The computed load-settlement curve showed good agreement with the measured field data, indicating that the empirical correlation adopted to estimate the soil stiffness (E50) from SPT-N values, expressed as E50 = 2800N, was appropriate for this case. Moreover, the pile-soil interaction behavior was investigated based on the relative shear stress distribution, plastic point distribution, and total displacement contour, revealed that the shaft resistance had reached full mobilization at the maximum test load, whereas the tip resistance remained predominantly within the elastic range and had not been fully mobilized. This finding suggests that the actual ultimate capacity of the pile may exceed the value obtained from the 200% test load. A parametric study on the interface strength reduction factor showed that lowering Rinter value leads to the reduction of the mobilized shaft friction and consequently decreased the pile capacity. The proposed empirical correlation can be used as reference to predict axial capacity of square pile in silty soil conditions.]]>
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