Journal Published Online: 13 May 2014
Volume 37, Issue 4

Modeling Load-Transfer Behavior of H-Piles Using Direct Shear and Penetration Test Results

CODEN: GTJODJ

Abstract

The load transfer analysis (or t–z analysis) has long been used to predict the load-displacement response of axially loaded driven piles. However, the t–z curves along the pile length and q–z curve at the pile tip, required for the t–z analysis, are routinely obtained based on empirical correlations using field and/or laboratory soil tests. This study focuses on the use of a modified Direct Shear Laboratory Test (mDST) to directly quantify the t–z curves and the use of a penetration test, namely the Pile Tip Resistance test (PTR) to quantify the q–z curve, for partial-displacement piles. As part of this study, two instrumented steel H-piles driven in sandy soils were load tested and soil layers at the two sites were characterized using in situ and laboratory tests. A load transfer analysis was conducted utilizing the directly quantified t–z and q–z curves from the mDST and PTR, respectively, to calculate the response of the load tested piles. When compared to the measured load-displacement response and load distribution along pile length, the t–z analysis based on the mDST and PTR measurements showed very good agreement with the measured pile responses. Therefore, and despite the limited database availability at present, the proposed mDST–PTR based model is promising as it represents a simple and cost-effective means to accurately predict the load–displacement response of partial-displacement piles driven in cohesionless soils.

Author Information

AbdelSalam, Sherif
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, the British Univ. in Egypt, Al-Sherouk City, EG
Suleiman, Muhannad
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA, US
Sritharan, Sri
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State Univ., US
Pages: 16
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: GTJ20130074
ISSN: 0149-6115
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ20130074