BEHAVIOUR OF SOCKETED PILES IN WEATHERED BASALT

A lack of data on the behaviour of bored piles in weathered basalt led the foundation designers of a major bridge in Melbourne to carry out six instrumented pile load tests. The behaviour of three side resistance, one base resistance and two complete piles socketed into variably weathered and jointed basalt was investigated in relation to the physical characteristics of the rock. Applied loads were generally sufficient to produce significant time-dependent deformations of the rock socket. The tests permitted an evaluation of ultimate side and base resistance stresses and confirmed that presumptive design stresses were adequate. The degree of weathering visually assessed during socket inspection provided the most reliable basis for assigning allowable stresses. Pressuremeter tests tended to over- estimate the rock modulus back-figured from pile load test results. Elastic theory is shown to be adequate for estimating pile settlement at design loads although time dependent settlements should be accounted for by using a reduced pressuremeter modulus. (Author/TRRL)

  • Availability:
  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Papers presented during the Geomechanics-Interaction, Fourth Australia-New Zealand conference on Geomechanics, Perth, Western Australia, 14-18 May 1984, Volumes I and II.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Institution of Engineers

    11 National Circuit
    Barton, A.C.T.,   Australia 
  • Authors:
    • Evans, R S
    • MCDONALD, P
    • Worotnicki, G A
  • Publication Date: 1984-3

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 372-377
  • Monograph Title: GEOMECHANICS - INTERACTION. FOURTH AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE ON GEOMECHANICS, PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, 14-18 MAY 1984. PREPRINTS OF PAPERS. VOLUMES I AND II
  • Serial:
    • Issue Number: 84/2

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00392049
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: ARRB
  • ISBN: 0-85825-208-2
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Mar 29 1985 12:00AM