Field Investigations into the Axial Loading Response of Displacement Piles in Chalk

Buckley, R. , Jardine, R.J., Kontoe, S., Liu, T., Ushev, E., Lehane, B.M., Pine, T., Schroeder, F.C. and Barbosa, P. (2017) Field Investigations into the Axial Loading Response of Displacement Piles in Chalk. In: Offshore Site Investigation Geotechnics 8th International Conference Proceeding, London, UK, 12-14 Sep 2017, pp. 1178-1185. ISBN 9780906940570 (doi: 10.3723/OSIG17.1178)

Abstract

Offshore developments in Northern Europe often encounter chalk, a highly variable soft rock. The designers of foundation piles driven in such strata can face considerable uncertainty regarding (i) the axial resistances developed during installation, (ii) those available after consolidation and ageing and (iii) the response to cyclic axial loading. This paper describes a programme of field research at St Nicholas at Wade in Kent, UK, focusing on (i) a series of carefully timed static and cyclic axial tension load tests on driven open ended steel piles and (ii) a programme of tests with the highly instrumented Imperial College Pile. Initial findings are reported regarding the mechanisms of shaft friction development in chalk, how ageing affects axial shaft capacity and how fully set-up piles respond to axial cyclic loading. This research is part of a larger Joint Industry Project (JIP) that also encompassed full-scale tests conducted offshore in the German Baltic Sea.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Buckley, Dr Roisin
• Authors: Buckley, R., Jardine, R.J., Kontoe, S., Liu, T., Ushev, E., Lehane, B.M., Pine, T., Schroeder, F.C., and Barbosa, P.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• ISBN: 9780906940570