Effect of steel type on friction developed on driven piles in sands

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of steel type on the ageing characteristics of shaft friction for driven piles in sand. Mild steel and stainless steel piles were driven and left to age for various periods before being subjected to static tension tests. A series of interface shear tests was also performed using mild steel and stainless steel interfaces to assist interpretation of the field tests. The results indicate that, in dry sand conditions and for piles with non-reactive steel, there is no increase in shaft friction with time. In contrast, significant gains in shaft friction over time are shown by (reactive) mild steel piles in the presence of water. These piles develop a crust bonded to the shaft but the gains in capacity cannot be explained solely by the increase in ultimate friction angle observed in the interface shear tests. Show more