Lateral Pile Capacity in Organic Soils

[tgota]

I have a site that has been previously used landfill for waste materials from a paper mill (i.e. wood chips). The wood chips are approximatly 10 to 15 feet thick followed by native soils. Overlying the wood chips is a cohesive soil cap approximately 5 feet thick.

Currently, several buildings are planned for the site which will be supported on a deep foundation system. I am trying to locate some material information of organic soils that can be used in a lateral pile analysis.

 

[DRC1]

Organic soils are not only low capacity, they are highly variable and uredictable. They also have high primary and seconary compresion values. General pratice is not to rely on organic materials for support. I assume you are driving the piles to firm bearing below the ladfill. I would add some batter piles driven the firm material to accomidate the lateral loads

 

[jdonville]

tgota,

For long-term conditions, assume that the wood chips will provide no lateral strength and no supportive friction. It may also be prudent to assume that the wood chips will consolidate and therefore you should model your downdrag from at least the bottom of this layer.

Good luck,

Jeff


Jeffrey T. Donville, PE
TTL Associates, Inc.

http://www.ttlassoc.com

 

[tgota]

Thanks all.. I appreciate the responce. You happen to know of any references for similiar conditions??