Impact of pile installation method on the axial capacity in sand

Abstract

The impact of installation methods on pile axial capacity is studied using centrifuge model testing. Compression and tension tests are carried out on model piles jacked at 1g or at 100g in dense Fontainebleau NE34 sand. The pile total compression capacity and shaft and tip resistance are analysed and compared with the current design standards used in offshore engineering. These results show that the axial capacity of the tested piles is clearly underestimated. Pile total tension capacities are also studied. A significant increase in tension capacity is observed in cyclically jacked piles unlike piles monotonically jacked at 100g.