Effects of Pile Driving in Clays

Abstract

This study summarizes the information given in the literature as well as observations made by the author. The effects of driving piles on remolding, stresses, and properties of the clay are considered. It is concluded that timber piles cause strong remolding of a zone extending to 10–15 cm from the pile surface. Strength and deformation properties will undergo changes beyond this zone as well. Pile type, pile density, soil properties, and driving conditions influence the results. There seems to be very small changes in the average water content, since the reduction adjacent to the pile is counter-balanced by an increase between the piles. The undrained shear strength adjacent to the pile is in one case found to be much higher than the skin friction at failure.