Soil mechanics

How to design drilled shafts and micropiles

here are a wide range of soil stabilization methods for large-scale slopes  including:

  • Remove and  replace : in this method unsuitable material are replaced by stronger materials or geo-synthetic reinforced soil layers.
  • constructing retaining walls  is another solution re resist against soil lateral deformation. The wall might be protected by anchors  and soldier if need be.
  • Ground anchors is an expensive solution to nail the soil into far distance. anchors

However, in some cases these techniques are impractical from both a constructability and stability point of view. In such cases construction of deep foundations seems more reasonable priced. Unfortunately because of a lack of  published design procedures and low familiarity of designers this method is not very frequently used as it should be.

Micropiles provide smaller capacities than  drilled  shafts. Moreover the longer installation time of micropiles must be taken into considerations.

Published Design Procedures

It is noteworthy that the design procedures of the drilled shafts for soil stabilization purposes are not as standardized. As a result the structural designer must follow some simple design  methodologies and calculate more innovatively. Some of the best design codes which can be used as a guideline has been introduced in the following:

  1. The Federal  Highway  Administration (FHWA)  Drilled  Shafts:  Construction Procedures  and  LRFD  Design  Methods circular  (GEC-10,  FHWA-NHI-10-016, 2010)  is  one  of  the  most  comprehensive design  manuals  including the  design of drilled shafts for geotechnical applications. Its focus is on transportation structures and it does not  include  a  step- by- step  design procedure.
  2. Ohio Department  of  Transportation (ODOT) has also developed a general procedure for landslide stabilization using drilled shafts. This  document concentrates on landslide  stabilization  and  provides information about the location of the slide surface.

To use each design method, first you need to gain insight into their methodologies that requires to study them carefully. Our professional team are working to produce a comprehensive video coarse to help the designers who want to use drill shafts and micro-pile as a soil stabilization technic.

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