Bearing capacity assessment of bored piles equipped with expander body systems using the mechanics of unsaturated soils

Abstract

Bearing capacity of single piles are occasionally predicted using the renowned theoretical methods (α and β methods). These methods are based on laboratory tests, which can be time-consuming, but also applicable in foundation engineering practice for unsaturated soils. Full-scale pile load tests were carried out on bored piles equipped with Expander Body Systems in the Federal District of Brazil, known for its unsaturated, collapsible and porous soil. This paper has the aim to assess the applicability of the β method, considering the contribution of soil matric suction, in order to estimate the bearing capacity of these piles subjected to uplift and compression loads in unsaturated soils. Based on the experimental results, it is indicated that the use of the β method considering the matric suction, can be a useful tool for bearing capacity estimation of bored piles equipped with Expander Body Systems in unsaturated soils.