Study of fin shape on the behaviour of finned piles under combined loading conditions

Abstract

Several types of structures, such as bridge abutments, retaining walls, transmission line towers and other structures exposed to wind and earthquake loads, supported by pile foundation are being subjected to large lateral loads. Finned pile is an emerging form of pile foundation that is capable of resisting large lateral displacements. Here, it is attempted to assess the effect of the shape of fins on the lateral carrying capacity of a pile with fins subjected to combined loading conditions. Small-scale laboratory model tests were performed on normal piles (without fins) and also with finned piles. These piles were embedded in sand. The studies were carried out by varying the geometric factors such as length, width and shape of the fins. Results show that there is a substantial increase in lateral resistance capacity of the piles after fitting the fins close to the pile head. The increase in lateral resistance capacity gained by placing fins on a pile varies with dimension of the fins. On the basis of the laboratory model test results, optimum dimension of the fin for maximum improvement are recommended for combined loading conditions. The trend showed in the results were comparable with those reported in the literature as on studies with lateral load alone.