Pile Seating
Pile Seating
(OP)
We are installing steel pipe pile on sloping bedrock. Is there any way to ensure that piles do not slip? Also the length of piles is 3m with the overburden bring silty clay. Will this cause problems with lateral stability of piles? What can be done to enhance lateral stability?
Appreciate your responses





RE: Pile Seating
RE: Pile Seating
We are driving piles to basalt bedrock.
RE: Pile Seating
Please see FAQ731-376 by VPL for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
RE: Pile Seating
RE: Pile Seating
1)I would at least consider socketting and grouting the piles into the rock.
2)Alternatively, perhaps a pad and pier arrangement would also work. At least, with this approach, you will expose the rock for evaluation. This would also allow for preparation of the bearing surface.
With typical driving equipment, I doubt that you will obtain any significant embedment into sound basalt rock. I would also be concerned with the post-driving condition and contact area of the pile toe resting on the bedrock bearing surface.
RE: Pile Seating
The other way is to use pile shoes or pins to "bite" the rock; that is, if the rock is biteable. If it has a steeply sloping surface then it is probably quite dense.
RE: Pile Seating
Should you wish to increase the moment capacity of the pile to resist any slope movements, then it will have to be reinforced with either a steel cage or a thick wall steel tube.
at a predesign stage it is usual to allow for 2/3 of the pile to be in competent ground whilst 1/3 is retaining. if the rock is of good quality this can be slightly reduced.