Advances in Auger Pressure Grouted Piles: Design, Construction and Testing

Abstract

There have been several interesting new advances in the design, construction, and testing of auger pressure grouted (APG) piles recently. The new construction techniques involve the addition of displacement piles (no spoils) and partial displacement piles (some spoils) that utilize many of the same installation procedures as traditional APG piles. These new pile types are more applicable where soft to firm clay and loose to medium dense sand soil conditions are present. The new testing and quality assurance procedures available include (1) automated pile installation monitoring equipment, (2) non-destructive integrity testing and (3) grout maturity strength testing procedures. In addition to new design methods, analytical methods are now used that can utilize the installation effort or drilling resistance measured when these piles are installed to provide a much higher level of confidence of the capacity and integrity of these pile types.