Strength and Compressibility of Screw Piles Constructed in Gypseous Soil

Abstract

The present work deals with the performance of screw piles constructed in gypseous soil of medium relative density; such piles are extensively used in piles foundations supported structures subjected to axial forces. The carrying capacity and settlement of a single screw pile model of several diameters (20, 30, and 40) mm inserted in gypseous soil is investigated in the present study. The gypsum content of soil used in tests was 40%. The bedding soil used in tests was prepared by raining technique with a relative density of 40%. A physical model was manufactured to demonstrate the tests in the laboratory. The model of screw pile has been manufactured of steel with a total length of 500 mm and helix diameters of 20, 30, and 40 mm continuous over the embedded depth of pile (400 mm). The results of tests showed decreasing the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) resulted in a higher axial carrying capacity of screw piles and low corresponding settlement.