Prestressed Concrete Pile Installation - Utilizing Jetting and Pressure Grouting

With increased urbanization, selection of deep foundations (bridges, signage, walls, etc.) is being controlled by the minimization of impact or disturbance, as well as quality assurance and control (e.g., proof testing, etc.). Deep foundations have thus migrated from driven piles to drilled shafts to tip grouted drilled shafts. Recently, a number of European and Asian designers/contractors have begun grouting driven precast concrete piles along their sides and at their tips. The use of these in Florida soils as well as their design is the focus of this research. Testing of the proposed jet grouted piles revealed problems with both the grout delivery system, as well as the grout mix design. In addition, full scale tests showed greater radial than vertical grout movement as well as poor bonding between the grout and precast member. Subsequently, improvements to the grout delivery system, mix design and incorporation of a semi-rigid high tensile strength membrane were introduced. Testing on jet grouted piles from 8 to 20 feet in length revealed both excellent grout side grout coverage, as well as unit side resistance under both axial and torsional loading. Using cavity expansion theory and/or in situ Pressuremeter testing, both the grout pressures and skin and tip resistances may be estimated. The new pile has a number of attractive features: 1) known structural cross-section; 2) minimal installation disturbance; and 3) proof testing and higher LRFD theta factors for design.

  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Florida, Gainesville

    Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering
    Gainesville, FL  United States  32611-6580

    Florida Department of Transportation

    605 Suwannee Street
    Tallahassee, FL  United States  32399-0450
  • Authors:
    • McVay, Michael
    • Bloomquist, David
    • Forbes, Heath
    • Johnson, James
  • Publication Date: 2009-3

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Edition: Final Report
  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 158p

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01128906
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Contract Numbers: BD-545 #31
  • Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: May 19 2009 7:49AM