Closure to “Discussion of ‘Axial Uplift Behavior of Belled Piers in Sloping Ground’ by F. A. B. Danziger, C. Pereira Pinto, A. P. Ruffier, and M. P. Pacheco”

Abstract

Abstract The main target of this closure is to clarify some issues related to the interpretation of the test results. Based on the suggested critical depth (i.e., the depth to determine the uplift failure mode to change from shallow to deep or vice-versa) in the literature and the sketch of the failure cracks of the load tests, the failure modes for the two belled piers were suggested, which are in agreement with those recommended by the discussers. The Meyerhof and Adams method was used to predict the ultimate uplift resistances for the belled piers in the case of horizontal ground conditions, and it provides reasonable results for the load test predictions. The small difference between the interpreted failure loads may be due to the inherent spatial variability of the geotechnical properties of loess soils. The normalized load–displacement curves of the two belled piers in this study were compared to each other and to that of belled piers in loess with horizontal ground conditions. It is indicated that the additional embedment of the foundation in a sloping ground can result in an increase in the relative stiffness of the foundation-soil system, though the presence of the slope may result in a decrease in the relative stiffness of the foundation-soil system. The writers agree that further investigations on the subject of structure behavior in response to foundation movement may be of much help.