Development of design parameters for H-piles in sand using static analysis

Abstract

Design parameters for H-piles in sand are developed using a static analysis approach from the correlation of full scale field load test data. The design parameters obtained are the ultimate pile capacity and the pile's load-settlement characteristics in compression. In establishing these parameters, the effects of residual driving stresses are included. The results indicate that if the area between the pile flanges is assumed to be one-half plugged by the soil, then the ultimate capacity in compression can be estimated by applying the correlations established by Coyle and Castello for full displacement piles. The results also indicate that the pile's load-settlement characteristics can be approximated by again assuming the flange area to be one-half plugged and modeling the pile-soil system on the axially loaded pile computer program known as APILE. The accuracy of these design parameters are evaluated by comparing the measured ultimate capacity and load-settlement curves of two field tested H-piles to the predicted results. Keywords: Pile structures; Compressive properties; Cohesionless soils; Tensile properties; Side friction loads. Theses. (edc)