FOUNDATION
ENGINEERING-II
CEng 4142
Lecture Six
1
CH 2
PIERS AND
CAISSON
FOUNDATIONS
Introduction
• Pier or caisson is a single unit which supports heavy loads
from superstructure and transfers them to deep- seated
layers of soil or rock.
• The term caisson, pier, drilled shaft, and drilled pier are
the various names given to this type of foundation.
• Piers refer to cast- in- place pile generally having a
diameter of about 750 mm or more, with or without steel
reinforcement and with or without an enlarged bottom.
• Because piers and piles serve the same purpose, no sharp
deviations can be made between the two.
• The distinctions are based on the method of installation. A
pile is installed by driving, a pier by excavating. 3
Introduction
• Advantages
Pier of any length and size can be constructed at
the site
Inspection of drilled holes is possible because of
the larger diameter of the shafts.
Very large loads can be carried by a single drilled
pier foundation thus eliminating the necessity of a
pile cap for pile group.
The drilled pier is applicable to a wide variety of
soil conditions.
Ground vibration that is normally associated with
driven piles is eliminated in drilled pier
construction 5
Introduction
• Advantages
Bearing capacity can be increased by under-
reaming the bottom (in non-caving materials)
Since no volume of soil is displaced, the problem
of shifting and lifting of piles is eliminated.
Changes can be made in the design criteria during
the progress of a job
Construction equipment is normally mobile and
construction can proceed rapidly
6
Introduction
• Disadvantages
Installation of drilled piers needs a careful supervision
and quality control of all the materials used in the
construction
The method is cumbersome. It needs sufficient storage
space for all the materials used in the construction
The advantage of increased bearing capacity due to
compaction in granular soil that could be obtained in
driven piles is not there in drilled pier construction
Construction of drilled piers at places where there is a
heavy current of ground water flow due to artesian
pressure is very difficult.
7
Types of Drilled Shafts
• Drilled shafts are classified according to the
ways in which they are designed to transfer the
structural load to the substratum
1.straight shaft
• It extends though the upper layer(s) of poor
soil, and its tip rests on a strong load bearing
soil layer or rock.
• Straight shaft can be socketed in to rock layer.
8
Types of Drilled Shafts
9
Types of Drilled Shafts
2. Belled Shaft
• consists of a straight shaft with a bell at the bottom,
which rests on good bearing soil.
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CONSTRUCTION
PROCEDURE
OF PIER
Construction Procedures
• There are three major types of
construction methods;
1.Dry Method
2.Casing Method
3.Wet Method
12
Construction Procedures
1.Dry Method
• This method is employed in soils and rocks that are
above the water table and that will not cave in
when the whole is drilled to its full depth.
• The sequence of construction,
a. The excavation is completed (and belled if desired),
b. Concrete is then poured into the cylinder hole.
c. If desired, a rebar cage is placed in the upper portion
of the shaft.
d. Concrete is then completed,
13
Dry Method
14
Dry Method
15
Construction Procedures
2.Casing Method
• This method is used in soils or rocks in which caving or
excessive deformation is likely to
occur when the borehole is excavated
• The sequence of construction,
a) The excavation same to dry method
b)A casing is then introduced into the hole.
c) The slurry is bailed out of the casing with a submersible pump.
d)A smaller drill that can pass through the casing is introduced and excavation
continues.
e) If needed, the base of the excavated hole can then be enlarged, using an under
reamer.
f) If reinforcing steel is needed, the rebar cage needs to extend the full length of the
excavation.
g)Concrete is the poured into the excavation and the casing is gradually pulled out.
16
Casing Method
17
Casing Method
18
Construction Procedures
1.Wet Method
• This method is sometimes referred to as the slurry displacement
method. Slurry is used to keep the borehole open during the
entire depth of excavation
• The sequence of construction,
a)Excavation continues to full depth with slurry.
b)If reinforcement is required, the rebar cage is placed in the
slurry.
c)Concrete that will displace the volume of slurry is then placed in
the hole.
• Slurry is a semi-liquid mixture, especially of fine particles of cement, or coal and water.
• Sump is a depression in the floor of a mine or cave in which water collects.
19
Wet Method
20
Wet Method
21
LOAD
CARRYING
CAPACITY OF
PIER
Load carrying capacity
1.Load Transfer Mechanism
• The load transfer mechanism from drilled shafts to soil
is similar to that of pile foundation.
• The ultimate load- bearing capacity of a drilled shaft is
given by
• The ultimate base load Qp
23
Load carrying capacity
1.Load Transfer Mechanism
• In most instances, the last term (the one containing
Nγ ) is neglected, except in the case of a relatively
short drilled shaft
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Load carrying capacity
1.Load Transfer Mechanism
25
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qp(net)
• Fqc can be calculated in the following manner.
Step 1. Calculate the critical rigidity index as
26
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qp
27
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qp
Step 2. Calculate the reduced rigidity index as
28
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qp
Step 3. If Irr ≥ Icr, then
• The magnitude of Qp(net) also can be reasonably
estimated from a relationship based on the analysis of
Berezantzev et al. (1961) 29
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qp
30
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
31
Piers (Drilled Shafts) in Granular Soil: Load-Bearing
Capacity
• Estimation of Qall(net)
32
Drilled Shafts in Clay: Load-Bearing Capacity
• Estimation of Qp(net)
33
Drilled Shafts in Clay: Load-Bearing Capacity
• Estimation of Qp and Qs
34
Drilled Shafts Extending into Rock
•Procedure of Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989)
In this design procedure, it is assumed that there is either side
resistance between the shaft and the rock or point resistance
at the bottom.
Step 1. Calculate the ultimate unit side
resistance as
35
Drilled Shafts Extending into Rock
•Procedure of Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989)
Step 2. Calculate the ultimate capacity based on side
resistance only,
Step 3. Calculate the settlement se of the shaft at the
top of the rock socket,
36
Drilled Shafts Extending into Rock
•Procedure of Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989)
37
Drilled Shafts Extending into Rock
•Procedure of Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989)
38
Drilled Shafts Extending into Rock
•Procedure of Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989)
Step 4. If Se is less than 10 mm the ultimate load-carrying capacity is
that calculated by Step 2. If Se > 10 mm, then go to Step5.
Step 5. If Se > 10 mm , there may be rapid, progressive side shear
failure in the rock socket resulting in a complete loss of side resistance.
In that case, the ultimate capacity is equal to the point resistance, or (for
hard rocks such as limestone, schist, etc.). Thus,
39
CAISSON
Caissons
•Caissons are box-type structural elements of a foundation,
consisting of many cells built either of timber, steel,
concrete or a combination of them, which are wholly or
partly constructed at higher level (or at times in a different
position) and sunk to their final position.
•They are used to transmit large loads through water and
poor material to firm strata.
•Major areas in which caissons are deployed are in bridge
piers, quay walls, shore protection structures, water-front
structures, etc.
41
Caissons
•Because of their construction costs, caissons are
advantageously used over other types of foundations when any
or all of the following conditions exist :
a.The soil contains large boulders which obstruct
penetration of piles or drilled caissons.
b.A massive substructure is required to extend to or below
a river bed to provide resistance against destructive forces
due to floating objects, scour, etc.
c.The foundation is subjected to large lateral forces.
42
Caissons
• TYPE OF CAISSON
Caissons may be divided into three categories
according to their methods of construction:
These are
1. Open caisson
2. Pneumatic caissons and
3. Box caissons or floating caisson
43
Caissons
• TYPE OF CAISSON
44
Caissons
1. Open caisson
• An open caisson essentially consists of a box, open at top and
bottom.
• The material is removed by dredging or grabbing from inside
the caisson. The sinking of the caisson proceeds under the
caisson’s own weight by overcoming the skin friction, which is
assisted by the cutting edges of the walls.
• Depending on the size of the caisson, its interior may be
subdivided into cells by diaphragms.
• After the desired level of penetration has been arrived at,
concrete is poured at the bottom to serve as a seal. After the
concrete has set, the water is pumped out and cells are then
filled with concrete.
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Caissons
1. Open caisson
• Major Advantage is their low cost and ability to
be extended to great depths.
• Disadvantage:
a) Commonly, the concrete seal is placed under
water, its function is not as satisfactory.
b) The other problem associated with this method is
that the soil near the cutting edges may require
hand excavation by divers.
46
Caissons
1. Open caisson
47
Caissons
2. Pneumatic caissons
• The essential difference between open caissons
and pneumatic caissons is in the provision of a
working chamber filled with compressed air.
• Top of the caisson is closed. and compressed air
is introduced to prevent water from entering the
working chamber.
• The excavation is done in dry conditions, thus
giving the workers a better chance to have
control over the construction work.
• Placement of the seal will also be carried out in
dry conditions,
• thus giving a reliable quality.
• Pneumatic caissons should be deployed as a
last-resort solution, due to high-cost and health
48
Caissons
2. Pneumatic caissons
• The depth of penetration of the caisson
below water is limited to a chamber
pressure of about 35 N/cm2.
• since the human body cannot endure
higher pressure, Working in a compressed
air is difficult
49
Caissons
2. Pneumatic caissons
50
Caissons
3. Box caissons or floating caisson
• A box caisson, as its name implies, is basically a
box with a bottom or base. Box caissons are
usually cast on land and towed to the site, and
then sunk onto a previously levelled soil base.
• They may be constructed from reinforced
concrete, steel or a combination of both.
• Box caissons are used where the construction of
an open caisson is costly or not feasible.
• They are advantageously used in a site where
the bearing stratum is near the ground surface.
• The ground must be levelled or excavated so as
to acquire a level surface. It must also be
protected against scouring.
• In addition, box caissons shall be checked for
floating stability since they are commonly pulled
51
on sites.
Caissons
3. Box caissons or floating caisson
52
Reference materials
1. Principles of foundation engineering (by B.M. Das)
2. Principles of foundation engineering (by
Alemayehu)
Example #1
For the following drilled pier with a belled bottom,
Estimate (a) the ultimate load, (b) the allowable load
with FS = 2.5, and (c) the allowable load (Qas) for a
settlement Sa = 10mm.
Exercise
Refer to Figure below.
1 Assume the bottom 8 m to be
hard
rock and the following values.
qu(concrete) = 28,000 kN/m2; E(concrete) = 22 x 106 kN/m2
qu(rock) = 46,000 kN/m2 Ecore(rock) = 12.1 x 106 kN/m2
RQD(rock) = 75%
Spacing of discontinuity in rock = 500 mm
Thickness of individual discontinuity in rock = 3 mm
Estimate the allowable load-bearing capacity of the
drilled
shaft using the procedure of Reese and O’Neill. Use FS =
3.
Exercise
A drilled shaft in a cohesive soil is shown in Figure
below. Use Reese and O’Neill’s method to determine
the following.
a. The ultimate load-carrying capacity.
b. The load-carrying capacity for an allowable
settlement of 12 mm
