PROCEEDINGS OF THE SYMPOSIUM IN HONOR OF

PROFESSOR SENG-LIP LEE

May 14-15, 1999
Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand

Innovative Solutions in Structural and

Geotechnical Engineering
Edited by

Pisidhi Karasudhi and Anil C. Wijeyewickrema

Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand

K. Y. Yong and T. Balendra

The National Institute of Singapore

Performance comparison of bored and excavated piles

in the layered soils of Bangkok
N. Thasnanipan, M.A. Anwar, Maung A. W. and P. Tangseng
Seafco Company Limited Bangkok, Thailand

Asian Institute of Technology National University of Singapore

 Symposium on Innovative Solutions in Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
in Honor of Professor Seng-Lip Lee, May 14-15, 1999

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF BORED AND EXCAVATED PILES, IN

THE LAYERED SOILS OF BANGKOK
Narong Thasnanipan, Muhammad Ashfaq Anwar, Aung Win Maung, Pornpot Tanseng
SEAFCO Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand.

ABSTRACT: Installation techniques are considered to effect the performance of cast in situ piles.
This paper compares the load transfer characteristics of a fully instrumented bored pile (Dia. 1.5 m)
and barrette (1.5 x 3.0 m) having same length equal to 57 m, embedded in identical ground
conditions (on same site, 30m apart). Total time consumed to construct the pile and barrette differ
considerably, 27 and 75 hours, respectively. No significant difference in load transfer has been
observed between the pile and the barrette. It has been concluded that, by observing good engineering
practices, any conjectured degradation effects on load capacity of such piles can be eliminated.
Additionally, the load applied on barrette was one of the highest test load in the region with a
reaction frame “tower” capacity of 6000 tons. Reaction frame and loading system arrangement, to
achieve such a high load capacity is also discussed.

1. INTRODUCTION

Barrettes become a common foundation element in combination with bored piles and diaphragm
walls in Bangkok (Refer: Thasnanipan et al, 1998-b). Foundations for the BECM tower project
located at Rama IX road Bangkok, Thailand, required 560 bored piles of 1.2 m and 1.5 m diameter
and 24 number of barrettes having cross section size of 1.5 m x 3.0 m. Foundation plan of the tower
is shown in Figure 1. Barrettes were necessary to transfer the very high loads coming from the
central 52 story tower’s lift shafts. Piles were approximately 57.0 m long with tips embedded into
the second sand layer. Depending upon the load requirements piles were base grouted in the central
tower area and at the locations of high column loads. Load testing on working piles was required to
verify the design parameters, and it was proposed to test one bored pile of 1.5 m diameter and one
barrette with full instrumentation. Since, pile and barrette were constructed using two different
techniques and the parameters like construction time, bentonite properties etc, were considerably
different, results from the load tests have provided a unique chance to assess the extent of difference
in behavior, which have been speculated to effect considerably in the past by some theoreticians.

2. SOIL PROFILE

Soil profile at the site is no different than the typical soil profiles of plain of Bangkok and is shown in
Figure 2. Below the top 2 m of weathered crust 11.5 m thick Bangkok Soft Clay is present. First stiff
clay starts from 13.5 m depth and extends to 26 m, below is the First sand layer and is about 10 m
thick. Below the First sand layer a thick layer of Hard clay which extends down to 54 m, is present,
and then starts the second sand layer which extends down to about 80 m where the next hard clay
layer starts. Undrained shear strength, Su obtained from unconfined compression test and Standard
Penetration Test (SPT) are shown in Figure 2. Ground water table depth at the site generally varies
from 1 to 1.5 m, piezometeric conditions of the site are also quite similar to the other parts of the
Bangkok with piezometric draw down of about 22 m near the bottom of the first stiff clay layer.
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132.10

96.20
Test-Barrette

Test
Pile

132.68

94.00

Figure 1. Foundation footprint of BECM tower project, showing the location of test pile and barrette.

3. CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

3.1 Bored Pile

Wet process method with rotary drilling bucket was employed. Bentonite slurry conforming to the
widely accepted specifications were used as supporting fluid. Top 15 m soft clay was temporarily
cased to assure the stability of the borehole. Firstly, auger was used to drill within the temporary
casing, followed by rotary bucket with bentonite slurry down to final depth of excavation. Airlift
technique was applied to clean the borehole base of any congregated sediments. Before lowering the
reinforcement cage special cleaning bucket was used to scrap of the borehole walls and the base.
Reinforcement cages were lowered inside the borehole by simultaneously attaching the
instrumentation at specified locations. Soon after lowering the rebar cage tremie concreting was
started. Properties of the bentonite slurry used are given in Table 1. Polystyrene grains plug was
used before the first charge of concrete to avoid the mixing of bentonite with concrete. Time
consumed in different construction activities is plotted in Figure 3.

3.2 Barrette

Mechanical rope-grab in conjunction with bentonite slurry was used to excavate the trench. A guide
wall cast with inside clear dimensions slightly more than the nominal size of the barrette was used to
guide the grab during initial bites. Since time consumed in the preparation of instrumentation was
quite long, refer Figure 3, desanding was continuously done to keep the bentonite slurry agitated,
which also helps to minimize the growth of filter cake by actually reducing the exposure time.
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Su (UC) t/m2 BUTT LOAD (TON) Max. Mobilized Skin Friction
(ton/m 2)
0 5.0 10.0
DEPTH (m) 0 1000 2000 3000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0
0 0
Weathered
Crust
Bored Pile
Soft Barrette
Clay
-10

First Stiff
-20 Clay

First
-30 Sand

-40
Hard
Clay

-50

Second
Tip Level Tip Level
Sand
-57.5 m -57.5 m
-60
60
1.50 m
60
3.00 m
0 50 100
SPT-N (blows/30cm)
VWSG
Bored Pile 1.50 m Barrette
Mechanical Extensometer

Figure 2. Comparison of bored pile and barrette, with soil profile at the site.

As another measure, trench was once again occupied by grab to scour the trench walls and to
remove, if any, filter cake formed on the walls (Refer: Drilled Shaft Inspector’s Manual, 1989). It is
authors opinion that, if due to some unforeseen reasons, reinforcement cage lowering have to be
delayed for considerable period of time or for overnight. It is a good practice to use the grab again to
scrap the trench walls which eliminates any foreseeable bad effects due to such unexpected delays.
After lowering the rebar cage, tremie concreting was done.

Table 1. Comparison of bentonite slurry properties.

Pile Barrette
Before feeding to the borehole After Recycling & Before Before feeding to the After Recycling & Before concreting
concreting (near trench (near trench base)
borehole base)
Viscosity (sec) 33 36 36 49
Density (g/cc) 1.08 1.10 1.10 1.17
pH value 8 8 8 9
Sand Content (%) 0.1 0.8 1.0 1.1
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B arrette

D rilling
D eSanding
C age Low ering
B ored P ile Trem ie Pipe Preparation
C oncreting

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
T im e Co n su m e d (h o u rs)

Figure 3. Comparison of time consumed in different construction activities.

4. INSTRUMENTATION

Both, pile and barrette were instrumented with Vibrating Wire Strain Gauges (VWSGs) and
Mechanical Extensometers (ME) at five levels along the pile shaft at the known interface boundaries
of different soil layers. Pile has four sets of VWSGs and one set of ME at each level. While the
Barrette has six sets of VWSGs and two sets of ME at each level, as depicted in Figure 2.

5. LOAD TEST ARRANGEMENT

Reaction frame anchored against the four working piles was used to load the piles. Reaction
frame used to load the barrette was one of the biggest of its kind used in the region with overall
height equal to about 8 m as shown in Figures. 4a and 4b. Five numbers of built-up steel girders
supported on each side by two 1st level cross girders were used to achieve the required maximum
frame capacity of 6000 tons. 1st level crossbeams were supported against the 2nd level cross girders.
2nd level cross girders were then anchored against the surrounding barrettes using anchor blocks at
the top. Especially fabricated rigid transfer girders as shown in Figure 5 were used to distribute the
tension force coming from the Tie-bars to the dowel bars above the anchor barrette heads. Sixteen
number of hydraulic jacks each having 500 ton capacity, were installed between the barrette cap and
main girder of the reaction frame. Jacks were arranged in a symmetrical fashion as shown in Figure
4b, to avoid any possible eccentricity of loading. Ball bearings were used between the main girders
and hydraulic jacks to keep the line of loading in the true vertical direction.

6. EFFECT OF SHAPE ON SHAFT LOAD TRANSFER

Assessment of shape effect on the shaft load transfer has been attempted by various researchers
in the past. Hosoi et al (1994), concluded that the earth pressure acting on the flat surface of a
rectangular diaphragm wall panel is larger than that of circular bored piles. Numerical analysis
performed by them showed that the earth pressure on the flat surface of a trench with L/B = 1000
(plain strain conditions), where, L and B are the length and width of the trench in plan respectively, is
higher than that of circular borehole. In order to assess the effect of different aspect ratios (L/B) on
the earth pressure developed around the trench, attempt has been made to model the behavior of
trench using finite element computer program. Figure 7 shows the orientation of principal stresses
and stress contours developed around the trenches with different L/B ratios. It has been observed that
sufficient hoop compression stresses develop around the trench and if L/B <3. But if L/B is
increased above 5, longer sides of the trench start yielding and it can be concluded that under such
conditions hoop stresses around the trench become less effective which give rise to the increased
 349

Figure 4a. View of the test frame having maximum capacity of 6000 tons.
5.00 m 5.00 m

2nd Cross Beam

I 350 x 2000 x 8000 mm.

B20

1st Cross Beam (R)

2 x I 600 x 2700 x 10000 mm.

Main Beam
5.00 m

5 x I 400 x 2000 x 9000 mm.

B13

B14

B15
Hydraulic Jacks
5.00 m

Reference Beam

B9
2nd Cross Beam
I 350 x 2000 x 8000 mm.

1st Cross Beam

2 x I 600 x 2700 x 10000 mm.

2nd Cross Beam

I 350 x 400 x 7500 mm.

Figure 4b. Barrette load test plan.

 350

Figure 5. Stiffening girder used to distribute force to dowel bars.

Figure 6. A view of the instrumented barrette cap with jacks.

351

L/B = 1

L/B = 3

L/B = 5
Figure 7. Orientation of principal stresses and stress contours around the excavated trenches with
different aspect ratios.
 352
earth pressure on flat surface of trenches with large aspect ratios. Although the exact determination
of earth pressure developed on the surface of trench depends on the soil properties and the over
burden pressure at the level of consideration, it can be concluded that no significant difference in
earth pressure is observed between the bore hole (L/B=1) and the barrette (L/B =2).

7. RESULTS OF LOAD TEST

Values of unit skin friction developed at the interface of different soil horizons along the pile
and barrette shafts are given in Table 2 and are also plotted in Figure 2. Comparison of unit skin
friction values prove that there is no significant difference in shaft load transfer between pile and
barrette, even though the construction methodology adopted is different. These findings are in line
with the conclusions made by Thasnanipan et al (1998-a). Load settlement curves of the pile and
barrette are shown in Figure 8.

Table 2. Comparison of unit skin friction and end bearing mobilized for the test pile and barrette.
Mobilized Skin Friction (ton/m2)
Depth Soil Type Pile Barrette
(m) At Design Load Max. Mobilized At Design Load Max. Mobilized

0 - 13.5 Bangkok Soft Clay (CH) 0.20 2.63 0.26 2.24

13.5 - 25.0 Stiff - V. Stiff Clay (CH) 5.90 7.01 3.58 8.86
25.0 - 35.0 Med.-Dense Silty Sand (SM-SP) 11.46 22.76 13.25 25.28
35.0 - 50.0 Hard Silty Clay (CH) 3.09 11.11 3.55 9.61
50.0 - 55.0 3.5m Hard Clay + 1.5m Clayey Sand (SC) 3.43 14.84 3.19 7.49
Maximum Mobilized End Bearing (Tom/m2) 270 101

A p p l i e d L o a d (T o n s)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500
0
P ile H e a d M o ve m e n t (m m

20

B ar r ette
Pile
40

60

80

Figure 8. Comparison of Load Settlement Curves of Barrette and Pile.

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8. CONCLUSIONS

1) No significant difference in shaft load transfer has been observed between the wet process bored
pile and barrette, in spite of the presence of considerable difference in construction techniques
followed and other relevant parameters like bentonite slurry viscosity and construction time.

2) All foreseeable negative effects attributed to construction parameters can be eliminated by

observing good engineering practices.

3) Reaction frame can be designed and erected to apply very high compression loads of the order of
6000 tons for pile load testing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors wish to thank Dr. Wanchai Teparaksa and their colleague Mr. Kamol Singtogaw for
their invaluable suggestions. They also wish to thank Mr. Natamon of STS Engineering Consultants
Co., Ltd. for providing the necessary data.

REFERENCES

Drilled Shaft Inspector’s Manual (1989), Prepared by The Joint caisson – Drilled Shaft Committee of
the ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling and DFI: Deep Foundation
Institute, NJ. USA.
Hosoi, T, Yagi N & Enoki, M. (1994), Consideration to the Skin Friction of Diaphragm Wall
Foundation, 3rd Intl. Conf. on Deep Foundation Practice incorporating PILETALK, Singapore.
Static Load Testing Report of Barrette Pile for BECM Tower Project, Rama IX Road, Prepared by
EDE-STS Engineering Joint Venture, Bangkok, Thailand.
Static Load Testing Report of Bored Pile for BECM Tower Project, Rama IX Road, Prepared by
EDE-STS Engineering Joint Venture, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thasnanipan, N, Baskaran G. & Anwar, M.A. (1998-a), Effect of Construction Time and Slurry
Viscosity on Shaft Capacity of Bored Piles, Proc. of the 3rd Intl. Geotechnical Seminar on Deep
Foundations on Bored and Auger Piles, Ghent, Belgium, Balkema.
Thasnanipan, N., Maung, A.W. & Tanseng, P (1998-b), Barrettes Founded in Bangkok Subsoils,
Construction and Performance, Proc. of the 13th Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conf. Taipie,
Taiwan, R.O.C.