Soil stiffness from back-analysis of pile load tests in Al Burrullus

Ahmed M. Nasr; Amr F. Elhakim; Mohamed I. Amer

Ain Shams Engineering Journal (Nov 2022)

Soil stiffness from back-analysis of pile load tests in Al Burrullus

Ahmed M. Nasr,
Amr F. Elhakim,
Mohamed I. Amer

Affiliations

Ahmed M. Nasr: Masters of Science Graduate in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt; Corresponding authors at: Masters of Science Graduate in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt (A.M. Nasr). Associate Professor of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt (A.F. Elhakim).
Amr F. Elhakim: Associate Professor of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt; Corresponding authors at: Masters of Science Graduate in Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt (A.M. Nasr). Associate Professor of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt (A.F. Elhakim).
Mohamed I. Amer: Professor of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Public Works Department, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Egypt

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 6
p. 101784

Abstract

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Estimation of soil stiffness plays an essential role in settlement computations associated with the design of foundations. Full-scale pile load testing is the best means for defining the load displacement response. The results of 17 pile load tests (compression, tension, and lateral) are analyzed to determine pile capacity and operational soil stiffness. Tests are conducted in Al Burrullus area located north of Egypt. Three-dimensional modeling of the pile load tests is performed using PLAXIS 3D. For each pile load test, the operational soil stiffness is obtained to match the load–displacement response. Ratios of the operational to small-strain stiffnesses G/Gmax are compared to the mobilized load ratios Q/Qult and pseudo-strain w/d. As the mobilized load ratio Q/Qult and pseudo-strain increase, the ratio of the operational to small-strain stiffnesses G/Gmax decreases. The results provide guidance for choosing the appropriate operational soil stiffness based on the mobilized load ratio or pile head movement and small-strain stiffness.

Published in Ain Shams Engineering Journal

ISSN: 2090-4479 (Print); 2090-4495 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Egypt
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/ain-shams-engineering-journal/

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