SELECTION OF EQUIVALENT MATERIAL FOR SOIL TESTING USING PILES ON A SCALE MODEL TESTING APPARATUS

Abstract

This study addresses the problem of selecting an equivalent material for soil testing using piles on a large-scale experimental setup. The approach involved conducting model tests in a metallic tank with specific dimensions, allowing for a 1:25 scale. Fine and medium-grained sand was used as the equivalent soil material. The main criterion for sand selection was its similarity to medium-sized sand (0.25- 0.50 mm). To ensure test reproducibility, only one sand fraction corresponding to the medium size was used. The results revealed that the chosen sand composition (Type 1) exhibited optimal homogeneity and particle size distribution. For modeling equivalent clay, Type 4 fine sand with 4% oil content was found to be the most suitable, demonstrating increased shear strength. The study concludes that the methods used effectively evaluate the load-bearing capacity of foundation piles, providing insights for optimizing designs for enhanced stability in diverse soil conditions. This approach paves the way for developing sustainable and ecologically efficient engineering structures in varying soil environments.