BC - ETS 02 | BC

BC - ETS 02

BC-ETS 02 is located in the southern sector of the central beach of Balneário Camboriú, on the coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The site comprises an area of approximately 6,500 m² where the design of tall towers is under development.

The BC Experimental Testing Site is a partnership that brings together designers, consultants, academics, contractors, and material suppliers to run full-scale pile experiments. Participants contribute expertise, time, and funding to generate high-quality instrumented data and to translate findings into improved design methods, quality control, and future standards.

The BC-ETS 02 programme includes two instrumented continuous flight auger (CFA) piles, 0.60 m in diameter and approximately 20.0 m in length, to be subjected to static compression load tests. One of these piles is the subject of a prediction event open to the international geotechnical community.

Geological and geotechnical setting

The local ground lies at the transition between marine beach deposits and alluvial fan deposits, typical of Brazilian coastal plains, and has been modified by human activity over time. These Quaternary-age sediments consist predominantly of sands, silts, and clays deposited by the action of waves and winds. In some sections, residual soil occurs from the weathering of crystalline formations that make up the region’s geological basement.

Subsurface stratigraphy (typical ranges)

• Sedimentary deposits: about 0 to 18 m
• Residual soil: about 18 to 32 m
• Granitic bedrock: below about 32 m

Geotechnical investigation program

The investigation programme was planned to derive high-quality parameters for each stratum, with tests executed adjacent to the test piles:

SM — mixed boring with SPT plus rotary drilling
SCPTu — seismic piezocone penetration test
CPT — cone penetration test
DMT — flat dilatometer test
CHT — crosshole seismic test
MASW — multichannel analysis of surface waves

Typical Subsurface Conditions

The figure below shows selected investigation profiles representative of the test area. The groundwater table is at about 1.5 m depth. The upper profile consists mainly of loose fine to medium sands to about 9 m, underlain by fine clayey sands and a soft compressible interval between approximately 12 and 17 m. Below this, sandy layers with increasing resistance occur near the pile-toe level, grading into residual soils at depth.

Pile loading tests – Procedure and Details

The pile is instrumented with full-depth DFOS strain sensing, discrete strain gauges, a toe telltale, and DFOS thermal profiling for as-built geometry and integrity. CFA installation parameters are recorded throughout construction.

The static compression test uses a reaction system of helical piles. Load increments are equal, with 15-minute holding periods and no unloading-reloading cycles. The test continues until failure or excessive movement.

Prediction Event for a CFA Pile

Civil and geotechnical engineers are invited to participate in a prediction event for one of the instrumented CFA piles at BC-ETS 02. The event is structured in successive phases, from initial estimates based on ground investigation data and nominal pile geometry through revised predictions incorporating as-built information. The purpose is to generate and disseminate knowledge in foundation engineering — not to rank or compare individual participants.

The complete invitation document is available for download here.

Prediction Phases, Schedule and Submission

Predictions are requested in three successive phases.

Phase 1 — Initial Prediction

Based on the available site investigation data and nominal pile geometry, participants are asked to submit:

the predicted pile-head load-movement curve;
the predicted axial load distribution at the predicted failure load;
the predicted ultimate or failure load;
the predicted ultimate shaft resistance;
the predicted ultimate toe resistance; and
a brief description of the methodology adopted, stating the investigation data utilized, main assumptions, and any method or software employed.

Available material: Site investigation data and submission template
Submission deadline: 1 June 2026

Phase 2 — Revised Prediction

Open only to those who submitted Phase 1. Participants may maintain or revise their prediction based on selected as-built information, including CFA execution records, installation-energy plots, thermal profiling results, and the measured concrete elastic modulus at the relevant test age.

Available material: As-built information (published 1 June 2026)

Submission deadline: 22 June 2026

Phase 3 — Interpretation of Measured Results

After the loading-test results are released, participants are invited to interpret the pile capacity from the measured load-movement response, applying their preferred criterion.

Available material: Measured load-test results (date to be confirmed)

Submission deadline: 3 weeks after release

Send your completed template by email to contato@bc-ets.com.br

Introduction

Prediction Event

Principles

This event is intended to generate and disseminate knowledge. It is not a competition, and there will be no prizes, ranking, or individual recognition. Submissions will be treated as confidential and discussed only in aggregated or anonymized form, unless otherwise agreed.

Introduction

Prediction Event

Principles