Sand Displacement and Compaction around Model Friction Piles

Abstract

By means of radiography techniques the displacement and compaction of sand around strain gage instrumented model piles has been studied. Tests reveal a possible explanation for the low transfer of load through “skin friction” developed by a straight-sided pile, and the high transfer of load developed by the tapered pile. The limits of “visible” soil movement (displacement envelopes) have been determined for nine different pile conditions and a direct relationship has been found to exist between the magnitude of the displacement envelope and pile capacity, indicating interdependence of transfer of load through the pile point and pile wall.