Queensland University of Technology QUT

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2

WEEK 12 PRACTICE QUESTIONS – Pile foundations 2

Q1. As shown in the Figure Q1, a pile was driven into the ground where the sand fill was
placed recently. The water table coincides with the top of the clay layer. If L = 15 m, γfill
= 17.0 kN/m3, γsat(clay) = 19.50 kN/m3, φ’clay = 200, Hf = 3 m, and D (pile diameter) = 406
mm, determine the total downward drag force on the pile. Assume the clay-pile
interface friction angle, δ’ = 0.6 φ’clay.

Figure Q1

Q2. The section of 4 x 4 group pile in layered saturated clay is shown in Figure Q2.The piles
are in square in cross section (350 mm x 350 mm). The centre- to-centre spacing d) of
the pile is 1 m. Determine the allowable load bearing capacity of the pile group. Use FS
=3.

Clay
c u = 25 kN / m 2

Clay
c u = 45 kN / m 2

Clay
c u = 60 kN / m 2

Figure Q2

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage

Queensland University of Technology QUT

Q3. Figure Q3 shows a group of pile in clay. Determine the consolidation settlement of the
pile group.
(a) Using the equivalent raft method
(b) Using the method proposed by DAS

1335 kN

Sand
γ = 15.7 kN / m 3
Sand
γ = 18.6 kN / m3

3mx3m
group plan
Normally consolidated clay
γ sat = 19 kN / m 3
e0 = 0.8
C c = 0 .8

Normally consolidated clay

γ sat = 18 kN / m 3 e0 = 1.0 C c = 0.31

Normally consolidat ed clay

γ sat = 20 kN / m3 e0 = 0.7 Cc = 0.26

Rock

Figure Q3

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage

Queensland University of Technology QUT

APPENDIX A

fn exist from z = 0 to z = L1

Neutral depth (L1) (Bowles, 1982)

L1 = {(L – Hf)/L1}{((L – Hf)/2 + (γf’ Hf)/γ’} – {(2 γf’ Hf)/γ’}

L1 = L – Hf for end bearing pile

γf’ and γ’ = Effective unit weight of fill and underlying clay layer

Unit negative skin friction = fn = K’ σ0’ tan δ’

σo’ = effective vertical stress at any depth = γf’ . Z

γf’ = effective unit weight of fill (If the fill is above the water table, γf’ , should be replaced
with bulk unit weight)
δ’ = soil-pile friction angle ≈ 0.5-0.7 φ’
K’=earthe pressure coefficient = K0 = 1-sinφ’
φ’=Effective friction angle of clay

z=H f z=H f
Total down - drag force = ∑ p∆zf n = p ∑ ∆zf n
z =0 z =0

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage

Queensland University of Technology QUT

APPENDIX B: Qu(g) of Pile Group in Clay

As sum of single piles

Qu(g) = n1 n2 [9 Ap cu(p) + Σ α p cu ∆L] OR

Choose the lower value!
As a pile group or block pile (after Meyerhof)

Qu(g) = Lg Bg cu(p) Nc* + Σ 2 (Lg + Bg) cu ∆L

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage

Queensland University of Technology QUT

APPENDIX C: Load Transfer in Pile Group (Equivalent raft method)

Depth of influence: distance from the base of equivalent raft to the

bedrock or to a depth of 3 Bg, whichever is smaller in value.

Consolidation settlement of pile group, calculated by considering each soil layer under the
equivalent raft, up to a depth of 3 Bg if no hard rock is found. Stresses are calculated at
the mid-point of each layer.

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage

Queensland University of Technology QUT

APPENDIX D: Load Transfer in Pile Group (DAS method)

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (2010 SEM2) Chaminda Gallage