H-piles are widely used to support bridge piers and foundations, particularly those founded on relatively weak subsoil layers. The piles are forcefully driven to stronger layers to transfer the load of the entire structure to the bearing strata. Driven steel H-piles are designed to effectively interact with their surrounding environment in and out of the ground without failure. Standard practices such as AASHTO/LRFD and state codes regulate the load bearing capacity and drivability of H-piles to ensure safe performance during their service life. udThis thesis investigates the feasibility of installing H-piles considering the limitations on the driving stress to achieve the design capacity (αASFy). Effects of parameters related to the soil-pile-hammer system have been studied. The gradual development of standard practices regulating the properties of H-piles related to material type, cross section geometry, pile length, and driving stress is discussed focusing on AASHTO/LRFD and PennDOT revisions to AASHTO. The results of a comprehensive parametric study carried out on the soil-pile-hammer system for 50 ksi driven H-piles are presented. 126 base scenarios, and 15 sensitivity analyses were constructed and analyzed using computer program GRLWEAP. In addition, 11 benchmark scenarios were considered to validate the study methodology approach using field data provided by PennDOT. An additional application of H-piles as driven ‘extended piles’ under combined axial and lateral load is briefly discussed and the effects of soil-pile interaction on the performance of pile is investigated.
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