SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1969
STP47282S

Design of Caissons on Granular-Cohesive Soils

Source

This paper presents procedures developed for designing caissons bearing on highly consolidated soil mixtures having both granular and cohesive characteristics. The ultimate bearing capacity of these materials approaches that of rock, but testing and design procedures for soil are applicable. Several hundred static loading tests on bearing piles made over the past 20 years have demonstrated that highly consolidated soils will carry loads up to the crushing strength of the sand and gravel particles without displacement. Their ultimate bearing capacity ranges up to several hundred tons per square foot considerably in excess of nominal bearing capacity normally used on rock. These piles have been driven to practical refusal, all but eliminating consolidation settlement which is a controlling factor in caissons. Lacking the opportunity for preconsolidation of the bearing materials, caisson design consequently is limited to the preconsolidation or initial strength of the soil support well below the ultimate capacity available to driven bearing piles. Preliminary design incorporated in plans and specifications for bidding purposes is based on the results of borings and laboratory tests with standard field penetration used as the basic control. The final design is made in the field at the time of construction when bell diameters are adjusted to the field penetration taken at the bottom of the caisson. The field and laboratory testing is described briefly. A general expression for bearing capacity is developed in terms of internal stability and cohesion of soil mixtures. Design charts for rapid determination of bearing capacity in situ and for the selection of final bell sizes are explained.

Author Information

Housel, W., S.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Price: $25.00
Contact Sales
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 84–105
DOI: 10.1520/STP47282S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-6901-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-6644-8