Experimental Studies on Pull-Out Behavior of Piles

Tall and off shore structures are often subjected to uplift forces due to the action of wind, water waves, and seismic loads. In such cases pile foundations are used for the effective transfer of load to the underlying soil. The ultimate shaft resistance of a single model pile in two different types of soils has been evaluated and compared in the present study. The experimental studies are carried out in a prefabricated model tank having a height of 600 mm and diameter of 290 mm. Steel solid piles of varying diameter and surface characteristics are driven in model tank and have been subjected to tensile load. The tests are carried out on piles for length to diameter ratios of 12, 20 and 30 inside the model tank. The test results stipulate the significant role of characteristics such as length to diameter ratio, moisture content, and interfacial friction in altering the shaft resistance of the piles. Comparative studies are also performed to assess the variation of pile soil interaction in two different types of soil used in the present study.