Physical modeling of pile load tests in sand using the similitude and compressibility concepts

This study addresses the limited evidence supporting the application and reliability of the similitude and compressibility concepts to predict the behavior of full-scale prototype piles in loose sand through scaled pile load tests. Therefore, this research aims to provide a means to reduce costs associated with field-scale pile load testing by validating the similitude concept to lateral load-lateral displacement relationships (p-y curves). To fill this gap, the methodology for this research involves careful selection of model sand with similar compressibility characteristics as the prototype and utilizing the similitude concept to determine appropriate scaling factors for the model test. Six case histories are examined, each detailing the test set up, soil conditions, and the performance of instrumented single pile foundations under different loading conditions. The thesis is intended to compile and provide preliminary analysis of case histories of lateral and axial pile load tests performed in sand profiles as well as the preliminary evaluation of p-y curves adapted to allow normalization with effective vertical stress by the similitude concept. Since the results in this thesis are limited to the lateral loading case histories, future work is suggested to explore the application of the normalization/similitude concepts to axial load-axial displacement relationships (t-z curves) of driven piles in sand as well as to perform small-scale axial and lateral pile load tests to validate the similitude and compressibility concepts. Validating these concepts with respect to p-y and t-z curves will allow multiple scaled model pile tests to be performed at low-stress levels to better understand prototype pile behavior in sand deposits.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Tang Wei Lin, Andrea

Contributors dc:contributor

• Olson, Scott M.

• Similitude
• Compressibility
• Loose Sand
• Pile Foundations
• Soil-foundation Interaction
• Scaled Model Pile Tests
• Lateral Loading
• Axial Loading

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Andrea Tang Wei Lin

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129629

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129629