Analysis of Data from Instrumentation Program, Columbia Lock.
Abstract
Three monoliths at Columbia Lock were instrumented and monitored during and after construction, in order to determine the distribution of applied loads on the piles for comparison with predicted values. One of the monoliths was representative of the landside walls which support a backfill of compacted sand. One monolith was representative of the riverside walls which support no backfill. The instrumentation consisted of (1) bonded electrical strain gages for measuring axial loads on the piles, (2) earth pressure cells (landside-monolith only) for measuring soil reaction, (3) piezometers, and (4) settlement plates and reference markers. Pressure cells indicated that the foundation soils carried only a small portion (approximately 5 percent) of the applied load. Practically all of the net applied load was carried by the foundation piles. For the landside monolith, the distribution of pile loads along each of the instrumented rows differed considerably from the planar distribution assumed for design. In general, the outer piles carried more load than the piles in the center. Analysis indicated that vertical drag forces resulting from settlement within the backfill had developed, accounting in part for the observed distribution of pile loads.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- ADA027058
Entities
People
- Albert L. Sullivan Jr