Análisis del proceso constructivo y variabilidad de parámetros geotécnicos en la capacidad de carga de micropilotes usando elementos finitos aleatorios

Abstract

IIn the normal practice of foundation engineering the bearing capacity of micropiles is calculated without taking into account that the construction processes may affect the problem geometry. This work quantifies the influence of both, construction processes and the inherent variability of soil properties in the bearing capacity of a selfbored and gravitationally grouted micropile by means of simulations with random finite element method. When the construction process and the inherent variability are not taken into account, the shaft bearing capacity is overestimated in a factor between two and three. Therefore, a rational explanation of the safety factor is presented in order to calculate the design capacity load. Lastly, a procedure to generating design charts for selfbored and grouted micropiles is presented and its application shows the importance of considerate the inherent variability of the soil properties and the construction process.