Design of Deep Socketed Caissons Into Shale Bedrock

Abstract

Deep sockets into bedrock are often used to achieve large capacities for caissons. Most of the available design methods are mainly empirical with little or no relationship to the in situ quality of rock. Bearing pressures and socket skin friction values adopted seem to be conservative in the absence of reliable field information. This paper deals with the problems associated with the design of deep socketed caissons.A concise review of the regional case histories and available design methods involving deep sockets into bedrock are presented. Various methods of testing rock in the laboratory and in the field for obtaining the desired design parameters are discussed. The application of laboratory and field test results in design are given. Problems associated with the construction and inspection of the caissons are summarized.