Numerical Analysis of Screw Piles under Axial Loads in Cohesive Soils

Yan Cui, Steve D. Zou, Jerry Schmidt, Bob Patrick, Ian Harder, Shihong Wu

In the proceedings of: GeoManitoba 2012: 65th Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: M1B - Foundations I

ABSTRACT: Screw piles have been commonly used in residential and industrial foundation structures. Current design criteria for screw piles typically consider the ultimate resistance including plate resistance and skin friction. Due to complex site condition, the theories have not been fully understood to determine the interaction and stresses between soil and screw piles, especially with multi-helixes screw piles. A numerical study on screw piles under axial loads in cohesive soils is presented in this paper. The current design methods for screw piles are reviewed. Single-helix and multi-helix screw piles are analyzed using numerical models, which enabled a detailed analysis of the screw pile helix bearing capacity, cylindrical shear and shaft adhesion resistances. Differences are illustrated by comparing the results obtained from numerical study and the results predicted based on the current common design methods. Based on the results obtained from this study, suggestions for screw pile design are provided for single- and multi-helix screw piles under axial loads in cohesive soils.

RÉSUMÉ: Les pieux vissés sont communément utilisés pour la fondation de structures résidentielles et industrielles. Les critères de design actuels, concernant les pieux vissés, prennent en compte la résistance finale qui inclue la résistance des lames et les résistances de frottement. En raison de la complexité des conditions de terrain, les interactions et les contraintes entre sols et pieux vissés restent partiellement incomprises, particulièrement dans le cas de pieux vissés à hélices multiples. Une étude numérique des pieux vissés sous contraintes axiales dans des sols cohésifs est présentée dans cet article. Les méthodes de design actuelles concernant les pieux vissés sont révisées. Les pieux vissés à hélice unique et différences sont illustde terrain, à partir des méthodes de design actuelles les plus courantes. S'appuyant sur les résultats de cette étude, des préconisations pour le design des pieux vissés à hélice unique et à hélices multiples sous contraintes axiales dans des sols cohésifs sont décrites.

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Cite this article:
Yan Cui; Steve D. Zou; Jerry Schmidt; Bob Patrick; Ian Harder; Shihong Wu (2012) Numerical Analysis of Screw Piles under Axial Loads in Cohesive Soils in GEO2012. Ottawa, Ontario: Canadian Geotechnical Society.

@article{Paper105,author = Yan Cui; Steve D. Zou; Jerry Schmidt; Bob Patrick; Ian Harder; Shihong Wu,title = Numerical Analysis of Screw Piles under Axial Loads in Cohesive Soils,year = 2012}