Comparative Evaluation of Cone Penetration Test Data for Estimating the Bearing Capacity of Pile Foundations in Sandy Soils of Sanur, Bali

Accurate estimation of foundation bearing capacity is a fundamental aspect of geotechnical engineering design, directly influencing the safety, serviceability, and cost-efficiency of structural systems. Among various in-situ testing methods, the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) has gained widespread application due to its efficiency, reliability, and ability to provide continuous soil profiling. However, despite its advantages, CPT data may exhibit considerable variability even within relatively small areas, especially in sandy soil conditions commonly found in coastal regions. Such variability can lead to significant differences in estimated bearing capacities, posing challenges in foundation design decision-making. This study presents a comparative analysis of CPT data collected from several locations within the Sanur area of Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. The selected sites are geologically characterized by predominantly sandy deposits with minimal cohesive content. The ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations was estimated using Terzaghi’s classical bearing capacity theory, assuming a foundation depth of 6 meters for consistency across all test points.