Effects of Pile Driving on Soil Properties

Abstract

The excess pore pressures which develop in a normally consolidated clay and the changes in undrained shear strength which occur during and after the driving of piles were studied at three different test sites near Gothenburg, Sweden. The changes in shear strength caused by pile driving were measured by field vane tests at Brunnsbo. Measurements were made at different distances from the surface of four driven reinforced concrete piles. These measurements were made before, immediately after, and nine months after the driving of the piles. Pore pressures were measured at Backa at different elevations within and outside a pile group during as well as after driving of the piles within the pile group. In addition to these measurements, the surface heave which occurs within and outside the pile group was measured. The pore pressure changes which occur at different elevations within two pile groups were studied at Gullbergs River.