Performance of fin pile subjected to torsional loads embedded in dry sand

Abstract

Torsional capacities of shaft piles with fins are experimentally examined. For comparison, model experimental tests were performed on conventional piles without such fins to investigate the behaviour of fin piles on the torsional capacity under diverse parameters. The influence of such fins, which are constructed at the top of the shaft with various values of width and length, was investigated. The test results elucidated that the fin efficiency of torsional capacities of fin piles ameliorates with the increase both of fin width/pile diameter ratio (Wf/Dp) and sand relative density. The adopted fins of the shaft play a vital function in its torsional capacity. This is thought to be because the section modulus of a fin pile shaft is augmented at the top of the shaft owing to the presence of fins, which lead to a soil–pile–fins interaction. In addition, augmenting the fin width will provide an appreciably higher soil resistance and a stiffer performance due to an augmentation of the passive zone of earth pressure in front of the shaft compared with conventional piles. This leads to amelioration in the torsional capacity for fin piles.