Experimental Investigating of Unsupported Excavation Considering Its Effect on a Nearby Axially Loaded Pile

Abstract

An experimental model is used to simulate the loss of soil lateral confinement due to excavation nearby an individual axially loaded pile. The effects of various parameters, such as the horizontal distance of excavation, depth of excavation and pile slenderness ratios are investigated. The experimental analysis results showed the effect of excavation is more remarkable as the horizontal distance of excavation becomes closer to the pile than half pile length. The effect of excavation diminishes gradually as the horizontal distance increases beyond that distance for all the investigated pile slenderness ratios and depths of excavation. The pile head deflection, settlement and bending moments along pile increase with decreasing horizontal distance between excavation face and adjacent axially loaded pile of various depths of excavation and pile slenderness ratios. The location of maximum bending moment is positioned between 1/4 and 1/2 of pile length for all horizontal distance of excavation, depth of excavation and slenderness ratios. The bending moment profiles indicate a (single curvature) for medium flexible piles and (double curvature) for very flexible piles for different horizontal distance between excavation face and adjacent axially loaded pile and various depths of excavation. In addition the theoretical approach of wood, 2004 showed good agreement especially for very flexible pile (slenderness ratio ˃45).