Integrity Problem of Large-Diameter Bored Piles

Abstract

Bleeding is known to occur in bored piles (drilled pier). The generally accepted view is that bleeding in piles is confined to the upper part of the pile only. Under certain conditions during bleeding, channeling may happen. Practising engineers believed that the associated problems with bleeding and channeling in bored piles can be overcome by overcasting the piles. A case study of extensive integrity tests consisting of cross-hole sonic logging tests and dynamic load tests on bore piles, as well as continuous corings from top to bottom of the piles carried out, revealed that some bored piles have channeling of concrete at various depths. Most of them were larger diameter piles. The finding that bleeding and channeling are not confined to the upper part of the pile is contrary to the generally accepted view. This paper attempts to develop a theory for the bleeding and channeling of concrete to explain the mechanics of the occurrence of channeling in bored piles. The proposed theory is verified by the close correlation of the predictions of the theory with field observations of the case study. Based on the proposed theory, recommendation with regards to the quality of concrete will be made to avoid the occurrence of channeling of concrete in large-diameter bored piles. The implications on the structural performance pertaining to axial capacity, compressibility and durability of bored piles with channels will be investigated.