Performance of Bored Piles Constructed Using Polymer Fluids: Lessons from European Experience
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VIEW CORRECTIONPublication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 30, Issue 2
Abstract
Solutions of synthetic water-soluble polymers have been used for the construction of bored piles (drilled shafts) since the early 1990s. These engineered fluids are very different from conventional bentonite slurries but there is currently a serious lack of industry guidance. Despite their advantages over bentonite, performance issues have arisen in the past and foundation engineers remain wary of their use. To help practicing engineers avoid past pitfalls and to promote best practice, this paper presents a critical reappraisal of selected European case histories of bored piles constructed using polymer fluids. A collective reassessment is necessary in order to provide an overall picture of the situation as individual cases may show conflicting results. It is found that the completed piles can have excellent load–movement characteristics if polymer behavior is understood and respected. Conversely, excavation instability, structural defects, and poor pile performance can result if the special properties of these fluids are not fully appreciated and as a result they are not properly maintained. The findings presented in this paper will be useful for consultants and contractors when designing and constructing piles and diaphragm walls utilizing polymer fluids in the future.
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Acknowledgments
The case histories discussed in this paper were studied as part of research projects funded by the U.K. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under Grants EP/H50026X/1 (Knowledge Transfer Secondment) and EP/K503782/1 (Impact Acceleration Account). Mr. Giancarlo Guadagnini (ENSER S.r.l.) provided additional information on the Vasco Da Gama Bridge project. Messrs. Duncan Nicholson (Arup) and John Crack (Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd.) permitted use of previously unpublished data collected for the Canary Wharf BP1 project. Constructive comments on the draft were given by peer reviewers.
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Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 30 • Issue 2 • April 2016
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This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
History
Received: Jul 28, 2014
Accepted: Jan 19, 2015
Published online: Apr 17, 2015
Discussion open until: Sep 17, 2015
Published in print: Apr 1, 2016
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