Abstract
Loess soils cover approximately 10% of the Earth’s land surface. Due to its honeycomb structure, this soil collapses under pressure and immediately settles when exposed to moisture. Using moisture and loading conditions prior to construction can have positive effects on the geotechnical properties of the soil and help to reduce its settlement. This study aims to investigate the effect of different installation methods of helical piles on microstructure of loess soils. A total number of 16 full-scale helical piles including single helix and double helix piles with spacing to diameter ratios of 1.5 and 3 were installed via wet and dry installation methods. These 3-m-long piles were installed at the site of Inche Borun, Golestan province, northeastern Iran. Pile static load tests were performed on a set of these piles to compare the effect of different installation methods. Furthermore, the behavior of Golestan loess was investigated by removing the soil in front of the other set of helical piles for element testing and SEM imaging. The results suggested that the combination of compressive installation load and water pressure increases the shear strength parameters of Golestan loess and accordingly, the bearing capacity of the installed helical piles.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gudehus G (2016) Mechanisms of partly flooded loose sand deposits. Acta Geotech 11(3):505–517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-016-0460-x
Xing H, Liu L (2018) Field tests on influencing factors of negative skin friction for pile foundations in collapsible loess regions. Int J Civil Eng 16(10):1413–1422. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-018-0294-z
Liu Z, Liu F, Ma F, Wang M, Bai X, Zheng Y, Zhang G (2016) Collapsibility, composition, and microstructure of loess in China. Can Geotech J 53(4):673–686. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2015-0285
Gaaver KE (2012) Geotechnical properties of Egyptian collapsible soils. Alex Eng J. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2012.05.002
Ayadat T, Hanna A (2007) Prediction of collapse behaviour in soil. Revue Européenne de Génie Civil. https://doi.org/10.1080/17747120.2007.9692947
Zhang YC, Yao YG, Ma AG, Liu CL (2020) In situ tests on improvement of collapsible loess with large thickness by down-hole dynamic compaction pile. Eur J Environ Civil Eng 24(2):156–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2017.1370393
Valizade N, Tabarsa A (2020) Laboratory investigation of plant root reinforcement on the mechanical behaviour and collapse potential of loess soil. Eur J Environ Civil Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2020.1715848
Pei X, Zhang F, Wu W, Liang S (2015) Physicochemical and index properties of loess stabilized with lime and fly ash piles. Appl Clay Sci 114:77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2015.05.007
Lim YY, Miller GA (2004) Wetting-induced compression of compacted Oklahoma soils. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 130(10):1014–1023. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2004)130:10(1014)
Zhang D, Wang J, Chen C, Wang S (2020) The compression and collapse behaviour of intact loess in suction-monitored triaxial apparatus. Acta Geotech 15(2):529–548. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-075
Zhang P, Zhang A, Xing Y, Zhang B, Ni W, Ren W (2018) Experimental study on settling characteristics of thick self-weight collapsible loess in Xinjiang Ili region in China using field immersion test. Soils Found 58(6):1476–1491
Wang XL, Zhu YP (2011) Theoretical analysis on compacting effect of lime compaction piles. Appl Mech Mater 94–96(2):745–749. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.94-96.745
Ma Y, Wang JD, Peng SJ, Li YW, Wang JH (2014) Immersion tests on characteristics of deformation of self-weight collapsible loess under overburden pressure. Chin J Geotech Eng 36(3):537–546. https://doi.org/10.11779/CJGE201403017
Eslami A, Akbarimehr D, Aflaki E, Hajitaheriha MM (2019) Geotechnical site characterization of the Lake Urmia super-soft sediments using laboratory and CPTu records. Mar Georesour Geotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2019.1672121
Evstatiev D (1988) Loess improvement methods. Eng Geol 25(2–4):341–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(88)90036-1
Fateh AMA, Eslami A, Fahimifar A (2017) Direct CPT and CPTu methods for determining bearing capacity of helical piles. Mar Georesour Geotechnol 35(2):193–207. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2015.1133741
Sakr M (2015) Retracted: relationship between installation torque and axial capacities of helical piles in cohesionless soils. J Perform Constr Facil 29(6):04014173. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CF.1943-5509.0000621
Motamedinia H, Hataf N, Habibagahi G (2019) A study on failure surface of helical anchors in sand by PIV/DIC technique. Int J Civil Eng 17(12):1813–1827
Perko HA (2009) Helical piles: a practical guide to design and installation. Helical piles: a practical guide to design and installation. Wiley, Hoboken
Sakr M (2009) Performance of helical piles in oil sand. Can Geotech J 46(9):1046–1061. https://doi.org/10.1139/T09-044
Tsuha CHC, Aoki N, Rault G, Thorel L, Garnier J (2012) Evaluation of the efficiencies of helical anchor plates in sand by centrifuge model tests. Can Geotech J. https://doi.org/10.1139/T2012-064
Spagnoli G, de Tsuha CHC (2020) A review on the behavior of helical piles as a potential offshore foundation system. Mar Georesour Geotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2020.1729905
Khazaei J, Eslami A (2016) Geotechnical behavior of helical piles via physical modeling by frustum confining vessel (FCV). Int J Geogr Geol 5(9):167–181. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.10/2016.5.9/10.9.167.181
Sharma P, Rawat S, Gupta AK (2020) Horizontal pullout behavior of novel open-ended pipe helical soil nail in frictional soil. Int J Civil Eng. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-020-00535-2
Harnish J, El Naggar MH (2017) Large-diameter helical pile capacity—torque correlations. Can Geotech J. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0156
Perko HA (2001) Energy method for predicting installation torque of helical foundation and anchors. ASCE Press, Reston
Rogers W (2012) Theoretical installation torque for helical pipe piles—part 1: single helix—homogeneous soils. Quality Anchor Products Inc., Addison
Sakr M (2015) Relationship between installation torque and axial capacities of helical piles in cohesionless soils. Can Geotech J 52(6):747–759. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0395
de Passini LB, Schnaid F (2015) Experimental investigation of pile installation by vertical jet fluidization in sand. J Offshore Mech Arct Eng. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030707.32
Tsinker GP (1988) Pile jetting. J Geotech Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1988)114:3(326)
Lourenço DE, Schnaid F, Camaño Schettini EB (2020) Model pile installation by vertical water jet in clay. J Offshore Mech Arct Eng. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4046169
Gabr MA, Borden RH, Denton RL, Smith AW (2014) An insertion rate model for pile installation in sand by jetting. Geotech Test J 37(1):13–23. https://doi.org/10.1520/GTJ20120191
Fateh AMA, Eslami A, Fahimifar A (2017) Study of soil disturbance effect on bearing capacity of helical pile by experimental modelling in FCV. Int J Geotech Eng 11(3):289–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/19386362.2016.1222692
ASTM D3080/D3080M-11 (2011) Standard test method for direct shear test of soils under consolidated drained conditions (withdrawn 2020). ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D3080_D3080M-11
ASTM D2216-19 (2019) Standard test methods for laboratory determination of water (moisture) content of soil and rock by mass. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D2216-19
ASTM D792-20 (2020) Standard test methods for density and specific gravity (relative density) of plastics by displacement. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D0792-20
ASTM D4318-17e1 (2017) Standard test methods for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4318-17E01
ASTM D422-63(2007)e2 (2007) Standard test method for particle-size analysis of soils (withdrawn 2016). ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D0422-63R07E02
ASTM D2435/D2435M-11 (2020) Standard test methods for one-dimensional consolidation properties of soils using incremental loading. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D2435_D2435M-11R20
ASTM D1586/D1586M-18 (2018) Standard test method for standard penetration test (SPT) and split-barrel sampling of soils. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D1586_D1586M-18
Okhravi R, Amini A (2001) Characteristics and provenance of the loess deposits of the Gharatikan watershed in Northeast Iran. Global Planet Change 28(1–4):11–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8181(00)00061-8
ASTM D5333-03 (2003) Standard test method for measurement of collapse potential of soils (withdrawn 2012). ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D5333-03
ASTM D4700-15 (2015) Standard guide for soil sampling from the Vadose Zone. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4700-15
ASTM D4220/D4220M-14 (2014) Standard practices for preserving and transporting soil samples. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D4700-15
ASTM D6169/D6169M-13 (2013) Standard guide for selection of soil and rock sampling devices used with drill rigs for environmental investigations. ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D6169_D6169M-13
ASTM D1143/D1143M-20 (2020) Standard test methods for deep foundation elements under static axial compressive load, ASTM International, West Conshohocken. https://doi.org/10.1520/D1143_D1143M-20.
Li P, Vanapalli S, Li T (2016) Review of collapse triggering mechanism of collapsible soils due to wetting. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 8(2):256–274
Zhang C, MacDonald BE, Guo F, Wang H, Zhu C, Liu X, Lavernia EJ (2020) Cold-workable refractory complex concentrated alloys with tunable microstructure and good room-temperature tensile behavior. Scripta Mater 188:16–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scriptamat.2020.07.006
Terzaghi K (1942) Discussion of the progress report of the committee on the bearing value of pile foundations. Proc Am Soc Civil Eng 68:311–323
O’Neill MW, Reese LC (1999) Drilled shafts: construction procedures and design methods, publication no. FHWA-IF-99-025. Office of Infrastructure Federal Highway Administration, Washington
Livneh B, El Naggar MH (2008) Axial testing and numerical modeling of square shaft helical piles under compressive and tensile loading. Can Geotech J 45(8):1142–1155
Acknowledgements
The helix piles used in this study was constructed by Shaloodeh Foolad Asiya company. The authors greatly appreciate their generosity and would like to express their gratitude toward them herein.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arabameri, M., Eslami, A. Microstructure and Strength Effect on Bearing Capacity of Helical Piles Installed in Golestan Loess. Int J Civ Eng 19, 923–940 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-021-00602-2
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-021-00602-2