Interpretation of large diameter preliminary pile tests in Ampthill Clay, West Walton and Oxford Clay formations for Thame Valley viaduct
Interpretation of large diameter preliminary pile tests in Ampthill Clay, West Walton and Oxford Clay formations for Thame Valley viaduct
Two instrumented preliminary test piles have been installed and tested in Aylesbury, UK, using Osterberg Cell bi-directional load test method, for the purpose of verifying the construction methodology and load performance of the bored piled foundations designed for the 880m long HS2 Thame Valley Viaduct. The local ground conditions comprise stiff clay and mudstone of Ampthill Clay, West Walton and Oxford Clay Formations which constitute part of the Ancholme Group. The significant length of the asset allowed a comprehensive ground investigation package of site and laboratory testing to be undertaken in developing a refined detailed design in accordance with the recommendations of Eurocode 7. The field test results of the two test piles have been interpreted and back-analysed using 3D finite element analyses undertaken to simulate the bi-directional loading of the Osterberg Cell testing method and compared against the ultimate pile capacity estimated during detailed design of the viaduct. Subsequent simulation of the pile loaded from pile head level using the calibrated finite element model provides the required load-settlement characteristic necessary to verify the performance of the pile under serviceability limit state.
S. Vitorino; H. Yeow
18th European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ECSMGE2024)
C - Risk analysis and safety evaluation
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