Strengthening AL-Kadhimin Tilted Minaret by Using a System of Micro-piles

Abstract

In this study, a strengthening system to control a tilt of about 80cm from vertical axis in the northeast minaret of AL- Kadhimin shrine that is located in the city of Baghdad, Iraq is proposed. The shrine consists of four minarets with two domes inside a big courtyard. Due to uncontrolled dewatering process inside the shrine, the four minarets have tilted in different angles, but the most severe tilt occurred in the northeast minaret. The dewatering well that operated near the minaret is causing water table level to decrease and effective stresses of the soil to increase. This results in a differential settlement of the minaret foundation. In order to protect the minaret's foundation from potential lateral loads, a group micro-piles have been proposed around the minaret. A Three-dimensional numerical analysis is used to analyze this problem by using PLAXIS 3D model. Different diameters, depths, angles of inclination were used to simulate the performance of single-row and double-row micro pile systems. The simulation results showed that the proposed micro pile system is an effective solution in resisting lateral loads and controlling the tilt that occurred in the minaret.