Lateral load capacity of H pile in frozen ground

[harpoon]

Does anyone know how much impact frozen soil have on lateral load capacity of H piles? We have to do a lateral load test on H piles shortly. Is it advisable to do it if ground is frozen? If not what is the alternative? Also if there a gap between pile flanges and web post driving does this impact lateral load capacity? Should this gap be filled in?

TIA

 

[Einsteim]

Will the soils be frozen at all times? Or will it thaw?

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

Depending on the soil conditions the lateral capacity could be much greater in frozen soil.

As for the gap, what are you going to do on the production piles? That is what you should do for the test pile.

 

[harpoon]

Ground will be frozen in winter and thaw in summer. We decided to thaw the ground prior to doing test. Also it was decided to test the pile without filling in the gap and if it passed then no to fill gap.