Experimental Study of the Capacity of the Piles in Circular Rock-Filled Cages in the Kao-Ping River

摘要

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation on the capacity of circular rock-filled cages skirted group piles in the Kao-Ping River. The Bilice typhoon struck southern Taiwan on August 23, 2000. She brought heavy rain and it washed the piles of the Kao-Ping Bridge. On August 27, 2000, the Kao-Ping Bridge had a sudden settlement at pier P22. It caused the collapse of a 100m×20m reinforced concrete bridge deck down to the Kao-Ping River. A preliminary investigation found out that the PC piles capacity was not adequate. The exposure of the piles under the Kao-Ping bridge piers and abutments was the major cause. The Bureau of Highways of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has completed many foundation protective constructions such as circular rock-filled cages skirted around grouped piles. The experimental study includes the investigation of the capacity and the length of the grouped piles skirted by the circular rock-filled cages. The results indicate that the bearing capacity of the PC piles was not sufficient.