Behavior of Micropiles under vertical tension and compression loads

摘要

The use of micropiles has gained widespread attention in many studies and construction works all over the world. Micropiles are small diameter, drilled, cast-in-place grouted piles. They can be used for underpinning works and also in the construction of many newly constructed civil works. The main goal of this paper is to study the axial capacity of micropiles penetrated in granular materials. The methods used to estimate the capacity of micropiles are reviewed. Previous attempts to simulate micropiles in granular material are discussed. In this study, the micropiles and the penetrated soil are modeled using the finite element numerical program PLAXIS. Results of micropiles loading tests carried out in Cairo are utilized to verify and calibrate the finite element model. A parametric analysis was then performed to study the performance of micropiles. The studied parameters include the load-displacement behavior, the soil properties needed in modeling micropiles and the diameter of micropiles under the effect of vertical tension and compression loads.