Pile Load Test and Types Quiz

Pile Foundations

• Pressurized fluid is used to loosen the bond between the pile and soil to facilitate easier installation and reduce friction.
• Using a telescoping tube or a rigid tube with a reduced section tends to reduce tension cracking during handling and driving, and provides efficiently for bending stresses.

Factors Affecting Pile Capacity

• The capacity of a pile is directly influenced by the properties of the surrounding soil.
• In bearing piles where the settlement of the pile is negligible, the bearing capacity becomes a pile capacity problem.

Pier Foundations

• Piers can be lined with vertical boards using a cofferdam, a temporary barrier built in water to create a dry area for constructing piers.
• Piers can also be constructed using a caisson, a watertight retaining structure used for various purposes.

Specialized Terminology

• A pier shaft located at the end of a bridge and subjected to lateral earth pressure is called a pier bent.
• A cofferdam is a temporary barrier built in water to create a dry area for constructing piers.

Applications and Challenges

• Pile foundations are required in conditions where the soil is unstable or cannot support the weight of the structure, EXCEPT in cases where the soil is stable and can support the load.
• Pile foundations are mainly used for bridges, dams, and other large structures, as well as in the construction of tall buildings.
• Pile foundations may experience failure due to various reasons EXCEPT defects in the pile material.
• Two general methods of pier foundation construction include excavation and the use of slurry-filled holes.

Slurry in Pier Foundation

• Slurry, a mixture of soil, bentonite, and water, is added as the hole deepens to prevent collapse and provide stability.
• Reasons for adding slurry EXCEPT to reduce friction and increase pile capacity.