Axial Performance of Helical Tapered Piles in Sand

Abstract

The axial capacity of novel spun-cast ductile iron (SCDI) tapered pile fitted with a lower helical plate is investigated. Seven instrumented piles, five SCDI tapered and two steel straight shafts, were installed in sand soil using mechanical torque. The piles were tested under axial compressive loading and their ultimate capacities were determined. To assess the cyclic loading effect on the piles performance, two load sequences were adopted: four piles were subjected to monotonic loading, and three were subjected to initial cyclic loading followed by monotonic loading. The installation torque was monitored and the resulting capacity-to-torque ratio was compared to the literature reported values. Tapered helical piles displayed a stiffer response and yielded higher capacities compared to the straight ones. Strain gauges were used to evaluate the piles load transfer mechanism, and demonstrated increased shaft resistance due to the pile taper. The taper helped compact the sand within the zone adjacent to the pile, originally disturbed by the helix penetration, hence increased the soil strength and stiffness. These effects were prominent for larger ratio of shaft/helix diameter. Finally, 3D finite element analyses were conducted to evaluate the axial performance of the system and demonstrated its enhanced frictional resistance. The experimental and numerical results confirmed the superior performance of the proposed system in sands.