Full-Scale Field Testing of Micropiles in Stiff Clay Subjected to Combined Axial and Lateral Loads
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 1
Abstract
A series of full-scale micropiles was installed at a site in mid-Missouri for a load-test program to study the effect of combined loading. The micropiles were installed with a 178-mm (7-in.) outer diameter steel casing to a depth of 4.6 m (15 ft) and a bond zone length of 3.0 m (10 ft). The surficial soils at the site consisted of stiff-to-hard clay underlain by weathered silty/sandy shale where the bond zone of the micropiles was located. The load-test program included axial, lateral, and combined-load tests. The ultimate axial and lateral capacity of the piles was initially determined. A series of combined-load tests was then performed by applying a static axial load and incrementally increasing the lateral load on the micropiles. The pile-head load-deformation response and distribution of load and bending moment with depth were measured with concrete-embedded strain gauges along the micropile length.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the U.S. Department of Education GAANN Fellowship grant and Missouri S&T, Rolla. In-kind donations of specialty micropile installer time and materials were instrumental to this research, including those from MoDOT, Hayward Baker, Inc., DSI America, Williams Form Engineering, LB Pipe & Coupling Products, and Buzzi Unicem. The support of the technical staff at Missouri S&T, including Brian Swift, Gary Abbot, and John Bullock, is sincerely appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 1 • January 2014
Pages: 255 - 261
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 21, 2012
Accepted: May 22, 2013
Published online: Dec 16, 2013
Published in print: Jan 1, 2014
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