Axial compressive capacity of helical piles from field tests and numerical study

Abstract

The compressive capacity of helical piles in sand and clay is investigated by means of field testing and numerical modeling. The numerical models are conducted using the computer program ABAQUS and are calibrated and verified using full-scale load testing data. The calibration was accomplished by using reasonable assumptions regarding soil–pile interaction and soil parameters reported from the literature. The model was verified by comparing its predictions with observed load–displacement curves obtained from full-scale pile load tests. The verified numerical model was used to perform a parametric study considering different pile configurations and soil parameters to evaluate the compressive capacity and load-transfer mechanism of helical piles. The compressive capacity obtained from the numerical models is compared with that obtained from existing theoretical methods for calculating the capacity. It is found that the predictions of theoretical equations for piles in cohesionless soil vary largely depending on the choice of bearing capacity factors and proper failure criteria. The interaction of closely spaced helices on the capacity of a helical pile is also evaluated. A bearing capacity reduction factor, R, and helix efficiency factor, E_H, are proposed to evaluate the compressive capacity of helical piles in cohesionless soil considering an industry-acceptable ultimate load criterion corresponding to settlement equal to 5% of helix diameter, D.