Theoretical breakage mechanics and experimental assessment of stresses surrounding piles penetrating into dense silica sand

Abstract

This letter extends an earlier theoretical and numerical analysis that aimed to improve predictions for the large-displacement end-bearing capacity of piles in sand by considering the boundary conditions applying to steady penetration and the effects of grain crushing via breakage mechanics. The earlier work led to good agreement with the end-bearing capacities, soil displacements and evolution of grain size distributions observed in experiments of penetrating model piles. The purpose of the current paper is to complement the previous evaluation through comparisons with more recently published calibration chamber measurements of the stresses surrounding instrumented model piles penetrating into dense silica sand. Encouraging agreement is demonstrated for the radial, circumferential and vertical stress components. Scope for further improvements is also identified.