Abstract
The self-balanced loading test is a state-of-art pile testing method, but its suitability to pile bearing capacity determination in transformer substation engineering in mountainous and hilly areas is not yet clear. In this study, a two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical model is established by the PLAXIS software to simulate the behavior and bearing mechanism of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test. The model is first validated by simulating the field tests of two adjacent piles under self-balanced loading. Then the influence factors of the load-displacement curves of piles are analyzed. Thereafter, the mechanical mechanism of the self-balanced loading tests is simulated and compared with the conventional static loading tests. It is observed that the rock modulus, rock-socketed depth of piles, and burial depth of the Osterberg Cell affect the load-displacement significantly, but the cohesion of the rocks affects little. Moreover, compared with the conventional static loading tests, the shear stress of the pile-soil interface distributes less uniformly under self-balanced loading conditions. On this basis, a bearing capacity computation method of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test is proposed.
Highlights
With the rapid and continuous urbanization, there are more and more transformer substation engineering, as important urban infrastructures, constructed in mountainous and hilly areas
A twodimensional axisymmetric numerical model is established by the PLAXIS software to investigate the behavior and bearing mechanism of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test. e model is first validated by simulating the field tests of two adjacent piles under self-balanced loading located in southern Anhui, China. en the influence factors of the load-displacement curves of piles are analyzed. ereafter, the mechanical mechanism of the self-balanced loading tests is simulated and compared with the conventional static loading tests
A bearing capacity computation method of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test is proposed. e simulation results and computation method should provide valuable information for managers to improve the efficiency of management of transformer substation engineering in mountainous and hilly areas
Summary
With the rapid and continuous urbanization, there are more and more transformer substation engineering, as important urban infrastructures, constructed in mountainous and hilly areas. Erefore, the application of the conventional static loading test in transformer substation engineering in mountainous and hilly areas is not cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Engineering practice shows that it is difficult to estimate the equilibrium points accurately, which fails in the upper and lower segments of the piles to reach the ultimate bearing capacity simultaneously in the self-balanced loading test. Rocksocketed piles used in transformer substation engineering in mountainous and hilly areas usually have lower bearing capacity compared with other engineering projects because of smaller diameter, shorter length, and shallower rocksocketed depth. Ereafter, the mechanical mechanism of the self-balanced loading tests is simulated and compared with the conventional static loading tests On this basis, a bearing capacity computation method of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test is proposed. A bearing capacity computation method of shallow rock-socketed short piles based on the self-balanced loading test is proposed. e simulation results and computation method should provide valuable information for managers to improve the efficiency of management of transformer substation engineering in mountainous and hilly areas
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