Load transfer of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite tapered piles in dense sand

This paper describes an experimental study conducted using a large, laboratory-scale testing facility to test pile segments at different stress levels. The objectives of the study were twofold: to examine the load-transfer mechanism of tapered piles in compression, and to evaluate the effect of pile material on pile performance characteristics. The results of axial compressive loading tests on 26 pile load tests were presented using fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) concrete composite tapered piles and steel piles. Two installation techniques were used, including conventional head driving and toe driving using a new technique. Piles were tested at different confining pressures to represent a pile segment at depths of 4.0 and 8.0 m. The load distribution along the pile shafts was measured and the results were compared with those from an analytical solution in terms of the taper coefficient Kt. The comparison showed reasonable agreement between Ktvalues established from the experiments and those obtained from the analytical solution. The measured toe resistance of tapered and cylindrical piles was compared with those from the analytical solution. A simple rational approach was proposed for the design of tapered piles.Key words: tapered piles, FRP, pile capacity, axial performance, centrifuge modeling, shaft resistance, toe resistance.

Load transfer of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite tapered piles in dense sand Journal Articles