Cast-in-place bored piles on soft rock under artesian pressures

Abstract

This paper outlines the geotechnical investigations and axial compression, pullout, and lateral pile load tests that were carried out at a site where cast-in-place bored concrete piles were installed. These piles were designed to bear on top of soft weathered rock surface that was under artesian pressures. Pile load test results have been compared with theoretically calculated pile capacities. It has been found that in areas of high artesian pressures in bedrock axial compressive pile load capacities theoretically estimated by conventional methods were significantly higher than the values obtained from load tests. Recommendations have been made that representative exposed bedrock samples be tested to determine their undrained strength, and these values be used for estimating theoretical pile capacities. Construction problems encountered during pile installation, such as locating the top of weathered bedrock without penetrating through water-bearing layers that were under artesian pressures, are presented briefly and a solution provided to install belled piles on top of bedrock is discussed. Key words: bored concrete piles, construction problems, load tests, soft weathered rock under artesian pressures, ultimate pile load capacities.