Experimental and Simple Semiempirical Methods for Interpreting the Axial Load Versus Settlement Behaviors of Single Model Piles in Unsaturated Sands

摘要

Experimental studies were undertaken to investigate the vertical load versus displacement behavior of single model piles in sand (i.e., Unimin 7030 sand) under both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Stainless steel model piles with three different diameters (i.e., 19.25, 31.75, and 38.3 mm) with a length of 350 mm were used to conduct the pile load tests. Semiempirical methods were proposed to successfully predict the variation of end-and shaftbearing capacities of single piles with respect to matric suction by modifying three conventional end-bearing capacity equations (Terzaghi 1943; Hansen 1970; Janbu 1976) and the beta-method (Burland 1973), respectively. In addition, finite element analyses were also carried out to simulate vertical load versus settlement behaviors of model pile tests using a commercial finite element software, SIGMA/W (GeoStudio 2007).