ISC'2 experimental site - prediction & performance of instrumented axially loaded piles

Abstract

This paper is part of a joint research project to study the behaviour of piles in residual soil. An experimental test site on residual (saprolitic) soil from granite was constructed at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. A very extensive site characterization has been held, including a large variety of in situ tests in order to develop an International Prediction Event (Class A) of Bored, CFA and Driven Piles. Researchers and designers were invited to deal with this investigation results in order to predict the real response of the pile foundations. Several in-situ testing techniques were used - Penetration tests: SPT and CPTU; Pressure-dilatometer tests: PMT and DMT; Seismic: Cross-Hole (CH) and Down-Hole (DH). Undisturbed samples were recovered and an extensive laboratory-testing program was carried out, including oedometric consolidation tests, CKOD triaxial tests using local strain measuring devices and bender-extender elements, as well as resonant column tests. This paper focuses on the axial pile load tests and a analysis of the predictions is presented.