Experimental Investigation of H-Pile Performance in Layered Soils

<ns3:p>This paper presents an experimental study on the behavior of H-piles buried in a stratified soil section, considering variations in the position and depth of a weakly clay layer. Tests were conducted in a specially fabricated steel enclosure attached to a rigid load-bearing frame to impose a uniform stress and minimize boundary effects. The clay layer was placed at three depths: L1(top layer near the surface), L2 (middle layer, mid-depth of pile), and L3 (at the bottom, beneath the pile) and tested under four different textures: solid clay (SCL), semi-solid clay (SSCL), semi-liquid clay (SLCL), and liquid clay (LCL). Axial loading tests were carried out using a laboratory loading apparatus that adopted the general principles of ASTM D1143 in the method of applying the load and measuring the settlement, with some modifications made as needed to suit the tests of scale models. The test results indicated that the ultimate bearing capacity and overall load-bearing strength of the piles were strongly affected by the position and texture of the clay layer. A clay that is solid enhances resistance to piles, particularly in situations where the layer is near the surface and is supported by sand that is under the surface. However, liquid clay led to a significant reduction in the load-carrying capacity of the piles. Overall, the objective of the current research is to determine the combined effect of soil hardness, depth, and the soils surrounding the piles on the H-response of the piles in stratified soils in order to make certain recommendations that are somewhat practical for designing a foundation in soils with various subsurface characteristics.</ns3:p>