Wuhan Ligong Daxue Xuebao (Jiaotong Kexue Yu Gongcheng Ban)/Journal of Wuhan University of Technology (Transportation Science and Engineering)

Pile coordinate deviation has traditionally been viewed primarily as a geotechnical issue, with limited consideration of its role as a construction-stage control problem. This study seeks to examine the determinants of pile coordinate deviation by integrating both technical and operational factors within a unified structural framework. A quantitative approach using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to analyze the relationships among survey control, equipment readiness, field conditions, soil characteristics, and human resource factors. Data were collected from 100 construction professionals with direct experience in pile foundation projects. The results show that survey control (β = 0.423, p < 0.001), equipment readiness (β = 0.312, p < 0.001), and field conditions (β = 0.259, p = 0.001) have significant effects on pile coordinate deviation. In contrast, soil characteristics and human resource factors do not exhibit statistically significant direct effects. The low explanatory power (R² = 0.028) suggests that coordinate deviation is strongly influenced by project-specific and context-dependent operational variability. This study contributes by reconceptualizing pile deviation as a construction control problem and by developing an integrated empirical model of installation-stage accuracy. The findings highlight the importance of technical control systems and underscore the need for incorporating real-time monitoring and digital technologies in future research.