Experimentally Derived Relationship Between Undrained Shear Strength and Driven Pile Sets
Author: Nigel R. Fitch
Presented/Published: Master of Engineering Project, University of Auckland, February 1996
Keywords: piles, driven piles, undrained shear strength, experiment, NZS3604, field testing.
Abstract:
This report presents the results of field testing relating to the driving of foundation piles using a variety of standard commercially available plant under normal operating conditions.
Piles were driven into cohesive soils in which shear strength testing was undertaken. The driving energy used and the base area of each pile were normalised on the basis of the energy input per unit area of pile base relative to the standard conditions of NZS:3604 Appendix D.
A relationship between shear strength and normalised pile set has been derived. A practical application of the relationship is presented as an aid to foundation design practitioners.
Ultimate pile capacities were evaluated on a theoretical basis and compared with pile testing undertaken for the preparation of NZS:3604 Appendix D. Recommendations are made regarding the use of static and dynamic pile capacity formulae.
