Alternative Title
Paper No. SOA-11
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
Date
08 Mar 1998 - 15 Mar 1998
Abstract
Herein we review the Osterberg Cell, or O-cell, method for performing large capacity load tests on bored piles (drilled shafts), and demonstrate how it provides a new opportunity to assess the effects of construction technique. A sampling of 8 case histories, 7 with comparative testing, illustrates the impact of poor technique and thus demonstrates the importance of good construction technique. The poor techniques include inadequate bottom cleanout, failure to use drilling fluids, poor concrete placement, failure to roughen sides, and improper drilling tools. We conclude with a brief description of a recent, world record, 133 MN (15,000 tons) O-cell load test.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Meeting Name
4th Conference of the International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering
Publisher
University of Missouri--Rolla
Document Version
Final Version
Rights
© 1998 University of Missouri--Rolla, All rights reserved.
Creative Commons Licensing
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
File Type
text
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Schmertmann, John H.; Hayes, John A.; Molnit, Thomas; and Osterberg, Lorj O., "O-cell Testings Case Histories Demonstrate the Importance of Bored Pile (Drilled Shaft) Construction Technique" (1998). International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering. 7.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/icchge/4icchge/4icchge-session00/7
O-cell Testings Case Histories Demonstrate the Importance of Bored Pile (Drilled Shaft) Construction Technique
St. Louis, Missouri
Herein we review the Osterberg Cell, or O-cell, method for performing large capacity load tests on bored piles (drilled shafts), and demonstrate how it provides a new opportunity to assess the effects of construction technique. A sampling of 8 case histories, 7 with comparative testing, illustrates the impact of poor technique and thus demonstrates the importance of good construction technique. The poor techniques include inadequate bottom cleanout, failure to use drilling fluids, poor concrete placement, failure to roughen sides, and improper drilling tools. We conclude with a brief description of a recent, world record, 133 MN (15,000 tons) O-cell load test.
