Short piles in civil engineering - limitations in calculations and engineering applications

摘要

Recent days the piling foundations are becoming a standard engineering solution in the case of complex soil conditions. Detailed projects of foundation vary significantly with respect to the dimensions of the pile (diameter and length) as well as its spacing. Different piling technologies and pile diameters (from micro-piles up to large diameter bored piles) give an engineer the variety of solutions to select an optimal one for given soil conditions. In the paper the analysis of the work of short piles is presented together with some examples of its reasonable engineering application. Some incorrect solutions for such piles are also shown. The calculation methods used for a design of the foundations on short piles are evaluated. The analysis has been supported by the results of static load tests and monitored settlements of some structures founded in very complex soil conditions. The examples clearly show that calculations of pile bearing capacity based on classical static formula have to be carried out very carefully taking into account local geological and geotechnical conditions.