6.2 6.2.1 6.2.2 CIRIA Report 181 CASE STUDY 2: APPLICATION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL. MODEL - VARIABILITY Background ‘A bored pile foundation was selected for anew bridge. Rock sockets were anticipated in strata of Mercia Mudstone, which is characterised by lateral and vertical variability. The study shows how the geotechnical model was assembled and applied tothe design and construction, Geological sections (vertical scale approx. 1:500) BHI RAD é aa_[vl8 e183 ig Oe 2) [Fo 12|_|7 26[0]%3 7 14 22 BHS & ROD BHe 1.8) 2ap }10 4-8] m |#, 15] [7 v7 |g vel ig, 278 soL1|33 Notes: loose-made ground and sand and gravel overlies Mercia Mudstone, whose RQD and 0, (MPa) values are shown. Hard bands (skerries) are occasionally present. Rock mass factor () values are generally about 0.20.3. Water entries are observed in made ‘ground and sand and gravel. Water levels in piezometers installed in overburden and in rock are close to or above surface level of borehole 3 (ie river level) 936.2.3 6.2.4 6.2.5 94 Rock properties (from site investigation report and literature) Index property Weathering zone and 1 m1 v Bulk density (gin) 25-23 23-21 Dry density (Mg/m’) 241.9 21-18 Natural moisture content (%) 5-15 12-20 Liquid limit (95) 25-35 25-40 Plastic Limit (9) 17-25 17-27 Plasticity index 10-15 10-18 Ge clay size (BS 1377) 10-35 10-35 Design parameters ‘These are based on rock characteristics by means of weathering zones and typical published values of a, and Ey supported by a limited amount of testing data ‘Weathering zone RQD % %) (MPa) Ww wa Li 70 ~ M1 10 19 135 u 25 28 360 1 40 5.0 600 + based on c, = 550 kPa and 0, = 2c Design methodology Design prepared for Q = 5 MN and 900 mm-diameter pile, Ee = 30 GPa, oy = 15 mm. Methods of Williams, Johnston and Donald (WJD), Rowe and Armitage (RA) and a conventional method of employing a global factor of 1.5 on shaft resistance (calculated from RA expression for t,) are used. ‘The following socket lengths were calculated on the basis of a single weathering zone with the final column showing the design socket lengths adopted. For weathering zones IV-I, by far the greater part of the load is carried in side shear, and little reliance can be placed on base resistance. In zone I material, excavation by normal bucket auger is considered difficult and, therefore, minimal penetration and full reliance on base resistance is assumed. ‘Weathering zone (ws) (RA) L Length (m) Length (m) wo Vv 85 85 5 8 Mm 5 4 4 4 0 3 25 35 I 2 1 3 1 + settlement criterion also satisfied with L =0 m_** or 3 if thickness not > 2D CIRIA Report 1816.2.6 6.2.7 CIRIA Report 181 Construction design review mechanism A review mechanism was instituted which allowed for socket acceptance on the basis of, the relative proportions of differing weathering zone material encountered and the associated design socket lengths. Four examples are given below: Succession Load contribution (MN) Socket length required (mm) (@)2mofzonelll — 2/4x5=2.5 2 then 3mofzone ll 3/3x5=5.0 +1525) x 3/5 =35, say 4 then 2 mof zone IIl_ Not required (b) 4mofzonelV 48x 5=25 4 7 then I mofzone I 1/3x5= 1.67 +1 then 3 mof zone I 3/4 x5 = 3.75 +5 -25~ 1.67) x 45 = 5.66, say 6 (@2mofzonelll — 2/4x5=25 25 - then 3mofzonel 3/1 x5= 15.0 Pile terminated on zone I after rock coring proved thickness >2D (@tmot zone ll 1/3x5=1.67 1 then Imof zonel 1/3 x 5= 1.67 +1 then 5 mof zone 5/3 x5=8.33 +6 - 167-167 x35 Recognition of weathering zones was made on the basis of a geologists description of pile bore arisings supplemented by point load tests on irregular lumps of rock and a record of piling rig rates of penetration, Discussion and conclusions from Case Study 2 A geotechnical model recognised that the following factors would play a crucial role in pile design and construction: + variable rockhead levels + lateral and vertical variation in rock grade + unpredictability of the rock grade at pile base level. These and other factors, such asthe presence of skerries and overlying sand and gravel and made ground, influenced the choice of a partially cased auger-bored ple. More importantly, a design rule was formulated for the on-site acceptance of sockets which vary in length as a function ofthe rock types encountered inthe pile bore. 95