Construction Control and Pile Body Tensile Stresses Distribution Pattern during Driving

In this paper, the pile body tensile stresses distribution pattern during driving is discussed, based on dynamic piling testing results of 13 driven piles attained by the laboratory and in situ tests. These tests indicate that the maximum driving tensile stresses occur in the upper portion of the pile, especially at the initial stages of driving the pile tip seated on soft soils or if the pile foundation is built on a soft foundation. After serious study, it can be concluded that the maximum driving tensile stress often occurs at (1 /4)l (l stands for the length of pile) from pile top with its value accounts for 50% of the driving compressive stresses at the same cross section. This high driving tensile stress would lead to the occurrence of transverse cracks and even the breakage of the pile, which should claim the attention of the engineer. The tests also demonstrate that high driving tensile stresses often occur due to the usage of a conventional pile cap in the driving of a prestressed concrete (tubular) pile. To the contrary, the tensile stresses tend to diminish within the control tensile stresses (5 MPa) due to the usage of a new type of disk spring pile cap during driving. Moreover, this new pile cap can prevent driving deviation from alignment, ensure an even distribution of the hammer blow on pile top, and protect the integrity of the pile body.