EFFECT OF STRENGTH AND TIP LENGTH OF ENLARGED GROUTED BASE ON BEARING CAPACITY OF NODULAR PILE

Abstract

Vertical loading tests were performed on the enlarged grouted base of nodular pile using pressurized sand tank for studying the effects of strength of enlarged grouted base and the length between the pile tip and tip of enlarged grouted base on the pile bearing capacity. The main conclusions based on the studies are as follows. 1) When the tip length was zero and the strength of enlarged grouted base was greater than 10 N/mm2, the bearing capacity was equivalent to the case when the strength was 20 N/mm2 until the settlement reached 10% of the pile diameter. 2) When the strength of the enlarged grouted base was 15 N/mm2, there was no effect of the tip length on the load-settlement curve. 3) For all cases, even when the enlarged grouted base failed, the bearing capacity continued to increase.