ABSTRACT
Since October 1992 the new Dutch law Bouwbesluit is operative. Part of this Bouwbesluit is a set of NEN codes, which prescribes in detail the requirements and design methods for buildings and their foundations. The safety philosophy is based on the partial safety factor approach. These codes ascertain that each structure fulfils certain minimum requirements with respect to stability (ultimate limit state) and deformations (serviceability limit state). The calculation method for the determination of the ultimate bearing capacity of piles is based on empirical relations with the results of cone penetration tests (CPT’s). The relations are tested and compared with the results of load tests over the past 60 years. If necessary they were modified.
This national report explains the philosophy of the Dutch codes concerning the design of foundation piles.
