Investigation of uplift behaviour of helical piles with laboratory model test and finite element approach

In this study, the behavior of single helical piles embedded in loose and dense sand soil under the uplift load have been investigated experimentally and numerically. The effects of variables such as helix number (N), pile embedment ratio (L/D), helix diameter (D), helix spacing effect (s/D) and relative density of sand (Dr) on the uplift capacity have been studied in the experiments. In the study, numerical analyses were carried out of the piles embedded in loose and dense sand soil based on the finite element method using PLAXIS 3D-2D computer program. It has been understood that the results obtained on single helical piles embedded in dense sand from the experimental and numerical studies are in good agreement, but this agreement was not obtained in loose sand where disturbance was not taken into account. In addition, it has been observed that the investigated variables related to helical piles significantly increase the pile bearing capacity.