Field Testing of Axial Performance of Large-Diameter Helical Piles at Two Soil Sites
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 3
Abstract
Helical piles are being used extensively in engineering applications in western Canada. There are insufficient studies on the axial load-transfer mechanism (ALTM) for helical piles, which require successful instrumentation of the piles. A field testing program, including two axial compression and two axial tension tests, was carried out on helical piles installed at two test sites consisting of clayey and sandy soils, respectively. The ALTM was investigated using strain gauges measurements. The development of the shaft and helix resistance as the axial displacement proceeded was established. The zone along the shaft where the shear resistance was not developed was estimated to be 2.5–5 times the helix diameter.
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Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Almita Piling Inc. for the financial support and the technical support with the manufacture and installation of helical piles. The technical assistance of Gerry Cyre was much appreciated. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada-Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship (NSERC-IPS) with the contribution of Almita for the first author is very much appreciated.
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©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 12, 2015
Accepted: Aug 30, 2017
Published online: Dec 23, 2017
Published in print: Mar 1, 2018
Discussion open until: May 23, 2018
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