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Preparations for field testing for the performance validation of piled wind turbine foundations in expansive clays

da Silva, T.S.; Haigh, S.K.; Elshafie, M.Z.E.B.; Jacobsz, S.W.; Day, P.W.; Osman, A.S.

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Authors

T.S. da Silva

S.K. Haigh

M.Z.E.B. Elshafie

S.W. Jacobsz

P.W. Day



Contributors

Denis Kalumba
Editor

Abstract

Field-testing of piles in an expansive clay is required for the validation of the design criteria for wind turbine foundations in such soil profiles. The test programme includes lateral load tests to investigate the horizontal stiffness of the soil and vertical plug pull-out tests to examine the axial capacity of pile-soil interface. These tests will be conducted in both dry and wet conditions to study the range of expected responses of the pile and evaluate how the changing soil moisture condition affects the pile behaviour. In addition, an instrumented pile socketed into bedrock will be used to determine the strain induced in the pile due to soil heave as the soil saturation levels increase. For the execution of these tests, a large open area with expansive clay of a sufficient depth is required; a stable stratum below the clay is desirable for the socketing of the long piles. An important component of the investigation is the characterisation of the expansive clay profile. A preliminary site investigation has been carried out on the field-testing site which will be supported by further laboratory testing. Details of the soil profile and site characterisation which will be used in the future analyses of the fieldtesting results are presented.

Citation

da Silva, T., Haigh, S., Elshafie, M., Jacobsz, S., Day, P., & Osman, A. (2019). Preparations for field testing for the performance validation of piled wind turbine foundations in expansive clays. In D. Kalumba (Ed.), Proceedings of the 17th African Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (661-666)

Conference Name Proceedings of the 17th African Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Conference Location Cape Town, South Africa
Publication Date Jan 1, 2019
Deposit Date Jan 3, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Pages 661-666
Book Title Proceedings of the 17th African Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1141273
Publisher URL https://www.issmge.org/news/proceedings-from-the-17th-african-regional-conference-on-soil-mechanics-and-geotechnical-engineering-available-in-open-access
Related Public URLs https://www.issmge.org/uploads/publications/51/79/104_304_AdW.pdf

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