Evaluating Pile Plugging in Concrete Large Diameter Open-End Pipe Piles

Large diameter open-end pipe piles have become a research focus due to the relatively high single pile capacity and efficiencies during construction offered. Understanding the plugging nature of these piles and resulting end bearing resistance of these piles remains a significant challenge for static pile capacity prediction methods. This issue becomes exacerbated for thick-walled concrete piles where the internal soils generally become highly disturbed during driving. This study utilizes the results of dynamic load testing performed for concrete LDOEP piles installed as part of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Safety Bays project to evaluate the plug formation in a variety of cohesive and cohesionless deposits.