Uplift Capacity of Single Pile Embedded in Partially Submerged Sand

Abstract

This article illustrates experimentally the effect of the groundwater level rising on the soil pile interaction under uplift load. A series of model test for piles embedded in partially submerged sand along pile depth under pull out loads were carried out. A rigid steel cylindrical cell measuring 315 mm inside diameter with 850 mm high was used as a sand container. Investigations were done by varying parameters as the ratio between groundwater height to embedded pile length (hw/L), pile stiffness (L/D), installation method and sand density. Results showed that there is a considerable decrease in the uplift capacity of the piles due to increase in the groundwater level. It has been found that the variation of the submerged pile length ratio from 0 % to 100 % leads to decrease in the uplift capacity as much as 60% of its initial value in dry condition.