The Bekavior of Piles Driven in Clay. I.

An Investigation of
Soil Stress and Pore Water Pressure as Related to Soil
Properties'
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Received May 2, 1972

Accepted June 22, 1972

This paper outlines rcsearch o n large model piles and somc full-scale pilcs drivcn into inscnsitivc
clay to study the phenomena of load transfer and the effect of pile driving o n the soil. It is dividcd
into two parts. Part I deals with the stress field set up by driving a large modcl pilc into an instsu-
mented clay bed and the stresses measured for some full-scale timber piles. Part 1L presents an cval-
uation of the load carrying capacity of the model pile and compares the results with full-scale pilc
load tests. The soil properties are evaluated in terms of effective stress for an estimate of the bcaring
capacity of the piles.
T h e measured soil displacements near the shaft and base agree well with plastic theory, while thc
observed magnitude of the pore pressures i n the clay due t o driving arc smaller and thc ratc of posc
For personal use only.

pressure dissipation is greater than expected theoretically.

The magnitude of the total and effective radial stresses surrounding the pilc is mainly rclated to
the stress changes in the soil due t o placing the pile and subsequent stress changes are relatively
small. On the other hand, the tangential a n d vertical stresses vary appreciably with time and the
latter stresses depart considerably from estimates based o n elastic theory, duc to locked-in-soil
stresses.
An approximate theory is presented t o estimate the average effectivc radial strcss o n the pile shaft
in connection with the ultimate shaft capacity. This proposed approach is supported by observations
in some clays of low sensitivity, but requires further research in other typc of clays.
Lc present article decrit les travaux de recherchc, sur dcs pieux modelcs dc grandcs climcns~onsct
sur des pieux grandeur rielle battus dans des argiles non sensibles, realises pour etudicr Ic phtnorncnc
de transfert de charge et I'effet du battage sur les proprietes du sol.
La Section I concerne le champs de contraintes induit par Ic battage d'un pieu modelc dans un lit
d'argilc instrument6 et les contraintes mesurees sur quelqucs pieux dc bois dc grandcur rkelle. La
section I1 presente une evaluation de la capacite portante du pieux modele ct unc coniparaison dcs
resultats avec ceux d'essais de chargement sur des pieux prototypes. Les propriktks du sol sont Cvalutcs
cn contraintes effectives pour determiner la capaciti portantc des pieux.
Les deplacernents du sol mesurts i proximite du f i ~ tet de la base du picu correspondent i ceux
diduits de la theorie de plasticite, alors que les pressions interstitielles ducs ail battagc dans I'argilc
sont plus faibles et se dissipent plus rapidernent que ce qu'on pourrait prtvoir thCoriquenicnt.
Les valeurs des contraintes radiales totales et effectives ailtour du pieu sont reliecs essentiellernent
aux changements de contraintes se produisant lors de la mise en place d u pieux et elles ne varicnt ~ L I C
peu par la suite. Au contraire les contraintes tangentielles et verticales varient appreciablcrnent en
fonction du tcrnps, les contraintes verticales differant considerablernent des evaluations b a s k s sur
la theorie de I'elasticite.
Une thtorie approchee pour evaluer la contrainte radiale effectivc moyennc le long du f i ~ dt u picu
ct la force portante developpie par le fQt est presentee. L'approchc proposec est confirmee par Ics
observations faites dans certaines argiles de faible sensibiliti mais des recherches compltmcntaircs
sont nkcessaires pour d'autres types d'argile. [Traduit par Ic journal]

Introduction c a ~ a c i t v of a Itile in terms of rundamental

I ,

A conlmon problem in foundation soil properties. In order to make such a

i n g is the predetermination of the load bearing
---.-p
IPresented at the 24th Canadian Geotechnical Confer-
ence,NovaScotiaTechnicalCollege, September2-3, 1971.
Cnundinn Gcotccl~nicnlJournal, 9, 351 (19i?)
prediction, a knowledge of the state of stress
which exists in the soil immediately after the
pile is driven and under subsequent loading is
essential. Piles in service are usually subjected
 352 CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, 1972
t o a relatively constan1 dead load from the
structure a n d t o cyclic applications of live
loads such as that imposed by wind. Studies
should therefore consider this condition of
loading.
T h e effect of pile driving on the soil a n d an
evaluation of soil properties in terms of effec-
tive stress by conventional techniques, from
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which useable design parameters may be
derived, make u p the major part o r this paper.
T h e results are compared with field measure-
ments made with timber piles and a case
history from the literature. The results of
several model tests using an instrumented steel
pile and an instrumented soil bed are present-
ed.
Model Testing Program
Scope,
T h e first step in the model test program was a n in-
For personal use only.
vestigation to determine the adaptability of the proposed
instrumentation to the problem t o be studied. This was
followed by several tests with a large model pile t o in-
vestigate the displacement of the soil in the vicinity of
the pile a s it was drivcn. O n the basis of this information,
it was possible to determine where pressure transducers
could be placed prior to driving the pile. T h e object was
to measurc stresses at the approximate location of the
elastic-plastic boundary, withoot having the instruments
displaced and without the presence of the instruments
significantly influencing the stress conditions. All sub-
sequent tests involved the use of pressure transducers
to mcasurc total stress and small piezometers t o measurc
pore water prcssure. Each series of tests also involved
repeated loading of tlic pile t o failurc a t different time
intervals, but the procedure was varied initially, to
determinc the influence of load history on the ultimate
capacity. A total of five series of model tests were con-
ducted, designated model pilc test A-E. Pile A was
subjected t o load tests from zero load, and after failurc
the entire load was renloved. Pile B was treated differ-
ently. A constant load (150 Ib (67.5 kg)), equal to about
one-half o f the first failure load, was maintained o n the
pile betwecn tests, except for brief periods of in-si/u
strength testing. Both of these piles had a removable basc
which allowed access to the soil a t the bottom of the
pile for vane tests. Piles C, D and E wcrc each subjected
to the same test procedure, except for Pile E where the
tests were continued for a longer period of time. Pressure
transducers, positioned to provide a stress rosette, were
used along the pile shaft, and other transducers were
placed below thc pile. T h e purpose of the tests was t o
define the stress field surrounding the pile and deter-
lninc its relationship with thepile load carrying capacity.
Apprircilrrs
A 3-in. (7 .G-cm) dianietersteel pile, 30in. (76.2cm) long
with aO. I-in. (0.25-cm) wall thickness wasused for the mo-
del tests. T h e pile had a removable bottom which could be
lifted out between tests to allow access to the soil below
thc basc o r the bottom could be loaded mdependently
of the shaft. The basc was fitted with a load cell which
measured total load acting o n tlic bottoni of the pile.
T h c test bed consistcd of a 22-in. (55.9-cni) diameter
steel druni 30 in. (76.2 cm) high. Approximately 800
Ib (360 kg) of clay was placed in the drum for cach test.
The displacement transducers provided for measurc-
~iicntof linear displacement up to 2 in. (5.1 cm). Flush
diaphragm pressure transducers, approximately l in.
(2.5 cm) long and 112 in. (1 . 3 cm) in diameter
wcrc used to measure total st~css.T h e sanic type of
transducer was used in a prcssure block outside the tesl
bed to measurc porc pressures generated by the driving
of thc pile. T h e block was connected to the point at
which porc pressures wcrc t o be measured by a 118-in.
(0.32-cm) diameter copper tube with tlic tip fitted t o a
porous stone of the m n c diameter, and 112 in. (1 .3cn1)
long.
Tcs/ P r o c c ~ ( k ~ ~ ~ c
T h e pile was driven into the soil bed by a drop weight
which delivered 75 ft-lb (10.8 kg-ni)/blow. T h e resulting
stress field was immediately recorded and load testing
started the same day. The load test procedure for the
piles varied somewhat, but, the first load test was gener-
ally conducted 30 min after driving. An initial load of
150 1b (67.5 kg) was placed o n the pilc immediately
after driving except for the piles which were subjected
t o vane tests by removing the base after driving. The
piles were loaded to failure by increasing the load in
incrcnicnts of 10 o r 5 lb (4.5 o r 2 . 3 kg). T h e total stress
and porc pressure was recorded for cach increment o f
load. The 10, d \vaj rcniovcd in increments after failure
had occurred. It was completely removed between
tests for pile A but was maintained at 150 1b (67.5 kg)
betwecn tcsts for piles B t o E, inclusive. T h e load test
was repeated after intervals of 24 h, 48 h, 4 days, 7 days,
14 days and, in some cases, 21 days and 28 days. Follow-
ing the final load cycle for piles B to E, inclusive, the top
of the pile was removed, thereby releasing the load o n the
basc and after a period of 24 h, the base was loaded t o
failure independent of the shaft. Following a further 24-h
period, the shaft was loaded independently to failure.
Properties and Test Results of Clay Bed
T h e clay used for the model tests is o f
medium plasticity. The predominant clay
mineral is illite with quartz a n d feldspar
comprising the major po;.tion of the nonclay
minerals. T h e classification test data are
contained in Table I.
T h e compacted clay was tested for strength
properties using several techniques and an
extensive series of tests were undertaken t o
evaluate the anele of skin friction. for steel
L'
with different surface textures. Small vane
tests were made adjacent t o the pile after it
was driven and tests were made below the
pile by removing the base through the top.
Unconfined compressive strength tests were
used primarily as a means of assessing strength
 CI,.\RE AXD LIEYERHOF: SOIL STRESS .\SD PORE \V.\TER PRESSURE 353

TABLE1. Summary of soil classification tests zero cohesion. The direct shear tests indicate
-.
--.....
p
p..
-. .
..-
-p-
-- peak and residual friction angles of 2 4 . 0
No. of and 1 4 . 5 degrees, respectively, with a co-
Tests Min. Max. Average hesion intercept of 0 . 5 0 p.s.i. (0.035 kgicm?).
A series of skin friction tests using various
Liquid limit (S) 9 41.7 43.6 42.2
Plastic limit (C/,) 9 19.0 23.1 21.8 textured steel surfaces and several rates of
Plasticity index 9 22.0 19.2 20.4 shear were conducted. Three different steel
Percentage: Sand 3 0 2 I surfaces were tested over a wide range of
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Silt 3 62 68 65 normal pressures. In order to cover the entire

Clay 3 32 36
Specific gravity 2 2.747 2.748
anisotropy, the significance of aging on the
undrained strength a n d the moisture content -
undrained strength relationship for this par-
ticular clay. The results of the tests a n d the
relationship derived for the strength change
with time are illustrated by Fig. l . The
directional properties of the soil did not
prove to be significant. The effective strength
properties were assessed by means of conso-
For personal use only.
34
2.748
range of roughness which might bc experienc-
cd with steel piles, a very rough knurled
surface was tested as well as a very smooth,
lightly polished surface. In addition, a block
of cold rolled steel was tested with normal
factory finish, which was intermediate be-
tween the rough a n d smooth blocks and ap-
proximately the sanlc as the model pile.
Drained tests were conducted on these sam-
ples to determine both peak and residual
shearing resistance. The block of normal
steel finish was instrumented in order that

lidated undrained triaxial tests with pore
pressure measurements a n d by means o f
drained direct shear tests. Figure 2 shows the
results of both sets of tests. The triaxial
tests show a friction angle o r 24.4" and
pore pressures could be measured. This was
accomplished by setting three small porous
stones in the face of the block a n d connecting
these to a single pressure chamber, in direct
contact with a pressure transducer. Figure 3

l l l
Od.1 I 10 100 IC
Time After Compaction- Days

FIG. 1. Strength change of clay with timc.

 C.\N.\DI:\N GEOTECHNICAL JOURSAL.VOL. 9, 1 9 i 2

Effective Stress
---- Total Stress
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Normal Stress - p.s.1.

PRINCIPAL STRESS RATIO FAILURE CRITERION
TRlAXlAL TEST RESULTS.

- PEAK $' = 24.0°

For personal use only.

d
I
In
e
z4-
L
0
.W
c
cn

Normal Pressure - p.s.1.

SHEAR DISPLACEMENT RATE - 0 . 0 0 0 0 5 7 6 ln/rnin
(Drained)
DIRECT SHEAR TEST RESULTS.
FIG. 2. Kesulls of triaxial and direct shear tests.

illustrates the various blocks tested and shows of 0 . 0 3 in. ( 0 . 0 8 cm) i n all cases, whereas
the construction details of tlie i n s t r ~ ~ m e n t e d the maximum pore pressures were not re-
block. corded before displacements in tlie range o f
T h e drained tests were sheared at a rate 0.04-0.12 in. (0.10-0.30 cm), increasing with
of 0.000128 in./min (0.000325 cm/niin). The greater normal loads.
tests with pore pressure ~ n e a s u r e ~ n e n twere
s Figure 4(h) shows the influence of shearing
run at sates of 0.0032, 0.016 and 0.048 rate for samples subjected to the same normal
in./min (0.008 1, 0.041 and 0 . 122 cni/niin). load. T h e pore pressure increases markedly
Six specimens were tested for each sate under as the shearing rate increases. Both the peak
normal loads ranging from 2 . 5 6 to 13.19 and residual values of skin friction decrease
p.s.i. (0.018 to 0 . 9 3 kg/cm2). with increased shearing rate. These results
Figure 4 ( ~ )shows the shearing stress ancl are for a constant normal load of 9 . 5 8
pore pressure developed for different normal p.s.i. (0.67 kg/cm?) but are typical for the
loads when subjected to a shear rate of 0.048 entire range of normal loads investigated.
in./min (0.122 cm/min). T h e peak shearing The drained tests showed a peak skin
resistance was reached before a displacement friction angle, A', of 23" for the rough steel,
 C1,AIIK A N D hIEYERHO1;: SOIL STRESS .\SDPORE \V.ATER PRESSURE
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For personal use only.
FIG. 3. (0) Steel used for skin friction tests, (0) Apparatus for skin friction tests with pore pressure.
15" for the very smooth block and 18.7"
for the block with normal finish. N o adhesion
was indicated for anv of these tests. T h e
skin friction angle recorded after a displace-
ment of 0 . 3 in. (0.8 cm) for the rough steel
was 13", 11.5" for the normal finish and 9"
for the smooth steel. The relationslii~ be-
tween shear stress and normal pressure for
these tests is shown in Figs. 5(d) and 6 ( d )
for the peak and residual cases, respectively.
The results of the tests with pore pressure
measurements at tlie shearing interface are
also summarized in Figs. 5 and 6. Figure 5
illustrates the ~ e a values
k of skin friction and
Fig. 6 shows those which obtain after a
displacement of 0 . 3 in. ( 0 . 8 cm). This dis-
placement is considered sufficient to produce
a residual skin friction value for tlie sbil-steel
shearing interface. A comparison with pre-
viously published data is given in Table 2.
The influence of shearing rate is evident
in tlie tests with pore pressure measurements.
The peak adhesion tends toward zero as the
rate of shear decreases and is equal to zero
for both the rough a n d smooth tests under
drained conditions. T h e total and effective
angle of skin friction tends to converge with
reduced shearing rate because of the dissipa-
tion of pore water pressure. The undrained
tests indicate an effective peak angle of skin
friction of the order of 18", which is almost
identical with that measured by the drained
test. T h e residual skin friction parameters
are also substantially influenced by shearing
rate.
Vane tests in the clay bed were carried o u t
prior to driving the pile. T h e instrument was
positioned over the center point where the
pile was to be driven and tests were made a t
depth intervals of about 4 in. (10.2 cm) t o
 356 C.\N:\DIAN GEOTECI-INICXL JOURNAL. VOL. 9 , 1 9 i 2
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For personal use only.
"-i -IL
2.36
+-~Te-~r--+--~
Displacement - i n c h
(a) Shear Stress And Pore Pressures For
Different Normal Loads
Shaating Rots - 0.048 in/mln.
FIG. 4. Typical skin friction test results.
a point 6 in. (15.2 cm) below the driven
depth. In addition, tests were made at the
12-in. (30.5-cm) depth at intervals of l in.
(2.5 cm) along radial lines for a distance
of about 8 in. (20.3 cm) out from the center
of the test bed. In each case, the tests were
repeated with the vane tip removed in order
to determine the contribution of rod friction
to the torque registered on the apparatus.
Following the initial vane tests for the
first two model pile tests, designated as pile
A and B, the pile was driven and load tested.
Immediately after the load had been reduced
to zero, the pile cap was unscrewed, the base
was removed and tests were made at the
bottom of the pile at depth intervals of 314
in. (1.9 cm) down to the bottom of the test
bed. In addition, the shearing resistance was
measured at intervals on a radial line begin-
ning at the pile surface and going out for a
distance of 6 in. (15.2 cm) from the outside
of the pile, at the 12-in. (30.5-cm) depth.
The procedure was repeated several times
during the course of the pile load tests.
'I
I
Displacement - inches
(b) Shear Stress And Pore Pressures For
Different Shearing Rates
Normal Load- 9.58 psi.
The results of the vane tests are shown on
Fig. 7. Figure 7(a) shows the strength gain
of the soil adjacent to the shaft, at the 12-in.
(30.5-cm) depths and at a depth of 3 in.
( 7 . 6 cm) below the pile; and Fig. 7(b) shows
the behavior of the soil at different distances
from the shaft for pile A, which was tested
much more extensively. The shape of the
'aging' curve was obtained from test data
presented in Fig. 1.
The soil adjacent to the pile shows a sub-
stantial increase in strength immediately
after driving. This is probably due to the
consolidation which accompanies the rapid
dissipation of the excess hydrostatic pressure
surrounding the pile. The initial loss of
strength indicated at distances of 1-2 in.
(2.5-5. l cm) from the pile may reflect an
increase in moisture content due to migration
of pore water away from the pile. The sub-
sequent increase at the l-in. (2.5-cm) dis-
tance is probably due to consolidation, which
is likely accelerated during load tests. The
soil-skin surrounding the pile may consoli-
 CL.\RK A N D hIEYERHOI;: SO!I. STRESS .\ND PORE \V:\TER
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For personal use only.
Normal
FIG. 5. Peak strength r e s ~ ~ l tofs skin friction tests.
date less during load tests a n d show a lesser
rate of strength gain because of the plastic
deformation which occurs in this thin zone.
T h e soil under the pile definitely shows the
influence of consolidation. T h e rate of strength
gain is much greater than that attributable
t o aging. The consolidation is probably
accelerated during the load tests. T h e strength
gain d u e to consolidation of the soil surround-
ing the pile shaft appears t o be practically
complete 2 days after driving.
Results of Model Pile Tests
Soil Displncenwnt Near Pile
Figure 8 shows the results of the tests in
dimensionless graph form. T h e actual dis-
PRESSURE
Pressure - p.8.i.
placement decreases rapidly as the distance
from the pile increases. The greatest radial
displacement was found at about mid-height
of the pile. This displacement is close to the
theoretical displacements calculated on the
basis of plane radial strain with no volume
change (Ladanyi 1963) and o n the basis of
Hill's (1949) method by using the peak se-
cant modulus from the result of confined
compressive strength tests. These data a r e
compared on Fig. 9, for both the cylin-
drical case (shaft) a n d the spherical case
(base) and include the theoretical elastic-
plastic boundary according to Hill (1950).
T h e actual displacement curve appears to be
approaching zero at the relative distance of 3 . 5 ,
 CANADIAN GEOTECHNICXL J0URN:IL. VOL. 9, 1972

(a) Undralned Test

Normal Surface Steel
'
,
6'= 19.50
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4l ( b l Undrained Test
Normal Surface Steel
For personal use only.

(d) Drained Test

Normal Pressure-p.s.1.
FIG. 6. Residual strength results of skin friction tcsts.

TABLE
2. Comparison of skin friction values for compared with infinity for the theoretical
cohesive soils and steel methods. This is likely due to the consolida-
pp-.--
tion which takes place during the driving of
Construction material the pile.
Meyerhof, 1962 Pore Wnter Behavior During Driving
Smooth steel
Rough steel The pore water pressure in the soil adjacent
Present studies to the pile was generally measured at a dis-
Drained Tests tance and depth corresponding to the stress
Smooth steel (peak) rosette formed by the transducers. The beha-
Smooth steel (residual)
Rough steel (peak)
vior is summarized in Fig. 10 from start of
Rough steel (residual) driving up to the time of the first load test.
Undrained tests A comparison of the pore pressure data
Normal steel (peak) indicates that distance from the pile and
Normal steel (residual) depth below surface are the most important
 CLARK A N D MEYERHOF: SOIL STRESS A N D PORE WATER PRESSURE

.+ 3- /5'From Shaft B
2
I
5
0 ~&E*$LA_-_.
Ageing
Tests
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-
f
V)
2

l l I l I
5 10 15 20 25
Time After Driving - days
( a ) Soil Adjacent To Pile
For personal use only.

3" Below Baae

.25"
1 a shaft
2"
-.Ageing Tests

@ Adjacent to shaft
l2"depth

IDF 5I 1I0 1I5 20

I 2I 5
Time After Driving - days
(b) Soil At Various Distances From Pile Pile A
FIG. 7. Vane shear strength change with time.

features in regard to development of excess
pore pressure due to driving. This is illustrated
by Fig. 11. Thus, small variations in moisture
content, shear strength and initial locked in
stress have much less influence on pore pres-
sure behavior, within the range investigated,
than the depth and distance from the pile.
Diffusion starts immediately wit11 an increase
in pore pressure. It can be seen from pile D.
Fig. 10, that consolidation is well advanced
in the soil near the top of the pile before the
pore water pressure reaches the maximum
value toward the bottom of the pile.
The maximum pore pressure developed
is not only a function of change in stresses
but is also related to permeability, length
of drainage path and time. Soderberg (1962)
has shown that the flow of water from a pile
is a function of the parameter io2/c1,t where
c, is the horizontal coefficient of consolida-
tion and t is the time. The expression presented
by Doinaschuk (1968) for theoretical pore
pressure, can be written for the case of un-
restricted drainage:
Au = (pAain + aASd) f (i.,c,,,t)
where Aatn is the change in mean normal
stress and ASd is the change in resultant
deviator stress. When 1 - 0 3 , if r is constant
and c, is constant, then Au,,,, = L (pAatn +
aASd) where L = f (i.,c,,t).
The coefficient of consolidation c , is affect-
ed by many factors as outlined in detail by
Taylor (1948). It is unlikely that c,, and r
 C.\N.\DI.\hT GBOTECIINIC.\L JOURN.\L. VOL. 9, 1 9 i L

Pile
U(
% [~ineor Displacement
Transducer.
Location of Plunaer
Before Driving.
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C
e
E"
0
Below Pile

- 0.4 -
B
.-
0

,.
P)
0.2 -
-
C
U
P)
For personal use only.

I
I

I 2 3
Distance From Pile Axis
Pile Radius ro

FIG. 8. Horizontal displacement near pilc.

br lculoted Elastic
Plastic Boundary (Hill1

\\k
Measured Displacement
Adjacent to Base

heoreticd Curve (Hill]

0 I 2 3
Rodid Distance Fran Pile Axis Radial Distance From Pile Axis
Pile Rodius ro Pile Radius ro
(a) Cylindrical Case (b) Spherical Case
FIG. 9. Comparison of meas~~red
and theoretical soil displacement for shaft and base.
 CLXRK AND MEYERHOF: SOIL STRESS AND PORE WATER PRESSURE
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For personal use only.
FIG. 10. Porc pressure bi~ildupnear shaft during driving and dissipation after driving.
are independent a n d c,, would certainly differ
in the plastic zone from that in the elastic
zone. T h e value of L lies between 0 a n d 1 ,
being 0 when c, is infinitely large o r when /
is infinitely large. It approaches 1 as c, de-
creases a n d t approaches zero. Thus L will
always be less than 1 . It will be equal to 0
in the case of a highly permeable soil where
there is a time lame-betieen ~ i l driver e blows.
sucll as with a d r o p hamme;. It will be close
to 1 in tlie case of a large pile very rapidly
driven into a fat clay. For the present model
pile, the value of L is determined to be 0 . 5 5 ,
0.71 a n d 0 . 8 0 at depths of 6, 12 a n d 18 in.
(1 5 . 2 , 3 0 . 5 a n d 4 5 . 7 cm) below tlie surface.
These values were obtained by dividing the
measured pore pressures, ~ i g . 11, b y the
maximum theoretical values calculated from
the measured stresses, using Domascliuk's
method. The variation is ~ r o b a b l vrelated lo
variations in c,, a n d /. ~ h influince
k of time
on the development of pore pressures along
a shearing interface for steel and soil was il-
lustrated in Fip. 6. Because of the several
U
factors which influence L, many o r wliicli
are interdependent, any attempt of a theoreti-
0
2' Pile A - 12' Depth
32
cal derivation would be extremely complex.
It can only be said that it varies from 0 to 1,
depending upon tlie soil type, pile size a n d
material, a n d driving time.
To/cr/ crnd E f e c / i w Stresses Surrounding the
Pile
When a pile is driven into soft clay, the
soil which previously occupied the zone filled
by tlie pile is displaced a n d compressed. It
moves away from its original location, com-
pressing a n d displacing adjacent soil until
the displaced volume is accommodated. T h e
displaced soil is partly provided for by heaving
near the surface surrounding the pile. It is
primarily accommodated, however, by the
'accordian' action comprised of compression
within tlie displaced volume a n d the sur-
rounding soil. This compression is made u p
of elastic deformation a n d consolidation.
Since consolidation acts concurrently with
plastic deformation a n d elastic conipression
a n d since each mode of deformation is greatly
influenced by the olhers, a lheoretical treat-
ment of the problem is very complex. It is
necessary, therefore, to make a number o r
 C:INADIhN GE0TECHNIC:IL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, l 9 i 2

\
\
h Pile 0-20" Depth
\
\
\
\
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\
\
\
elP
&
i, E-22" Depth

\
\
\
B
' Pile 8-12" Depth
\
\
\
\
For personal use only.

'El Pile 8 - 1 2 " ~ e ~ t h

\
U E
'l Pile A-12" Depth
Pile D-& Depth
\
\ \B Pile E-6" Depth
\

Distance From Pile &

Pile padiusL ro

FIG. l I . Change in pore pressure due to driving for different depths and distances from pilc.

simplifying assumptions with regard to the
mode of deformation and strain path. The
theoretical treatments are usually based on
elastic, plastic, or elastic-plastic theory, all
of which ignore the influence of consolida-
tion.
It is evident that the large strains which
are induced in the immediate vicinity of the
driven pile relate closely to a condition of
plastic deformation. This has been analyzed
by Ladanyi (1963) by extending the work of
Hill (1950). By considering the clay as a two-
phase system, he separated pore water stress
and effective soil stress. In order to apply
the theory, however, it is necessary to assume
no volume change in the zone of plastic
deformation, no drainage and a condition o r
plane radial strain. Soderberg (1962) has
considered the stress surrounding the pile
by assuming a condition of plane stress and
extending the analysis of Nadai (1950) for
an expanding hole in a flat plate. This ap-
proach can be justified only for the condition
near the surface. By replacing the pile by a
system of double forces acting in a radial
direction, Gorbunov-Posadov (1968) has ex-
tended Mindlin's (1936) work to predict dis-
placement and compaction of soil by a driven
pile. This solution assumes constant elastic
properties for all deforn~ationsand no volume
change due to consolidation.
The various theoretical treatments of the
problem are useful in qualitatively assessing
the stress field surrounding a pile during
driving and under load. The real stresses will
depart markedly from the theoretical values,
however, because of the major influence of
consolidation and because of the variable
strain path. Figure 12 presents a summary
in ternis of total stress and Fig. 13 shows the
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CL:\RK AND MEYERHOI;: SOIL STRESS .-\ND PORE WATER PRESSURE

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C;ZN;ZDIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, 1972

 CL.lRK A N D 1IEYERIlOli: >OIL STRESS . W D PORE \\'.ITER PRICSSURE
effective stresses at a distance of one diameter
from the center of the pile. For each of the
load cycles presented, the stress conditions at
the start of the load test under the constant
load of 150 Ib ( 6 7 . 5 kg) or, in the case of the
shaft a n d base tests, zero load, a n d the stress
conditions at the ultimate load are shown.
After about 7 days, there is only a slight
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difference between the total a n d effective
stresses with the latter being somewhat
greater d u e to negative pore water pressure.
Figure 14 shows the effective principal stresses
G ~ a' n d a?'a n d the angle of the major principal
stress with the vertical.
An examination of Fies. U
12-14 leads to the
following observ'itions :
(1) The radial stresses, G,. a n d G:., pro-
duced by the displacement of the soil
as the ~ i l eis driven sets the at tern for
1 but is horizontal by a depth of 12 in. ( 3 0 . 5
this stress during the entire subsequent period
investigated. T h e effective stress increases
For personal use only.
slightly
- - under the static load with time but
shows a decrease when loaded t o failure. T h e
decrease is insignificant a t the first load cycle
but is over 15"; by the 6th load cycle a n d for
the independent shaft load as well. In terms
of total-stress. there is a eradual decrease
V pendent loading of the shaft. During the inde-
with time a n d practically no change as the
pile is loaded to failure.
(2) T h e tangential stresses, G ~ ,change
markedly from the condition initially estab-
lished by the driving action. The effective
stress has a maximum value in compression
a t the t o p of the pile a n d is equal to zero a t the
bottom immediately after driving. This chan-
ges to a condition of tension a t the t o p of
the pile a n d a significant compressive stress
at the bottom bv the 5th load cvcle. T h e
total tangential stress along the pile, as with
the radial stress, decreases slightly when
the pile is loaded to failure.
(3) T h e total vertical stress, G,., along thc
pile is small immediately after the pile is
driven. This stress increases with time and
shows a hydrostatic distribution. With the
exception of the first load cvcle a n d the inde-
pendent base load test, tlye stress increases
each time the pile is loaded from the static
load to the failure load.
( 4 ) T h e tangential stress is the major
p~.incipalstress a t the t o p of the pile. Imme-
diately after driving it is compressive but
L
rradually changes to tension with time; by
365
mid depth it is compressive a n d approximately
equal to the radial stress; a n d by the bottom
of the pile it is equal to the vertical stress.
The tangential stress ranges from the major
principaT stress to the m i h o r principal stress
from t o p to bottom, becoming the interme-
diate principal stress at a depth between
6 a n d 9 in. ( 1 5 . 2 a n d 2 2 . 9 c m ) (41.0-61.0).
( 5 ) The distribution of the radial a n d
vertical stress appears to be related to the
strain path of the soil displaced by driving.
At the surface. there is a condition of plane
radial stress (G,. = 0 ) with a gradual transition
to plane radial strain (c,. = 0) with increased
depth.
(6) T h e effective major principal stress
G', is sharply inclined at a depth of 6 in.
(1 5 . 2 cm) (41.0) immediately after driving
c m ) (81.0) a n d remains so for the remainder
of the pile. This stress rotates with continued
load cycles. Along the pile shaft the stress
rotates downward during each load cycle
whereas at the base of the pile, it rotates up-
wards. l'here is no change in tlie stress direc-
tion near the base of the pile during tlie inde-
pendent loading of the base there is no change
in position at a depth of 6 i n . ( 1 5 . 2 c m )
(4 1.0) but a slight change by the 12-in. (30.5-
cm) (8 1.0) depth.
Soil Stsess Below the Pile
T h e distribution o f vertical stress, G,. a n d
G;, on a horizontal plane 2 i n . ( 5 . 1 c m )
(413 1.0) below the base is illustrated i n Fig.
15. T h e effective stress below the base immedi-
ately after driving a n d a few minutes later
when the 150 Ib (67.5 kg) constant load is
applied is shown in Fig. 15(c1).The extent a n d
growth of the 'locked in' stress below the
base is shown by Figs. 15th)-((l), inclusive.
Figure 15(e) shows the independent shaft
load has a small influence on the vertical
stress below the pile as it is loaded to failure.
T h e stress resulting from the loading of the
base, independent of the shaft, is shown by
Fig. 15(f'). This stress is much less than that
which exists when the complete pile is loaded
to failure. T h e locked in stress remains, but,
is substantially reduced when the load on the
base is released, as was done 24 h prior to t h e
sliaft test. The effective 'locked in' vertical
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For personal use only.

366

k U 4
C1 .d in
ooin

'Ct L U
ace,
-t
CANADI;\N GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, 1972
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CLARK .UiD h1EYERHOF: SOIL STRESS AND PORE W.4TER PRESSURE

 368 CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, 19iL
stress below the base is about twice that which
existed immediately after driving, prior to the
application of the 150-lb (67.5-kg) load.
The theoretical distribution of the vertical
stress surrounding and below a pile where
the entire load is carried uniformly by the
shaft has been presented by Burmister (1940)
and is reproduced in Fig. 16 on the left hand
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side. The stress coefficients for tlie isobars
of vertical stress are computed from tlie
equation o z = KAPIB2 where B = pile
diameter and AP is the change in pile load.
The results for piles C, D and E for inde-
pendent load tests on the shaft are shown on
the right hand side. A comparison shows that
the actual isobars are substantially greater
than the theoretical values calculated by
the Mindlin-Ruderman analysis. The same
relationship is shown on Fig. 17 for the inde-
pendent load tests made with the base.
An analysis of the vertical stress incremental
For personal use only.
changes accompanying the incremental pile
(0) Theoretical Isobars
FIG. 16. Co~nparisori of tllcoretical and cxixrilnental isobars o f vertical strcss for
loading indicates that for load cycles 4, 5
and 6 for each series. approximately 213
of the load increment from 150 1b (67.5 kg)
to failure load is carried by the shaft and about
113 is carried by the base. Figure 18 shows the
actual stress coefficients for comparison with
the Mindlin-Ruderman analysis for a load
distribution of 113 on the base and 213 on the
shaft. This case also indicates that elastic
theory overrates the load distribution pro-
perties of the soil.
Comparison of Model Pile Tests
with Field Records
The literature on piles contains a sub-
stantial amount of pile performance records
and, in recent years, load distribution data
within the pile but a derth of data on total
and effective stress within tlie supporting soil.
An exception is the data published by Koizumi
and lto (1967). A pile driven statically into
a sensitive highly plastic clay showed a total
7 (b) Experimental Isobars
tolal load carried by shart.
 CL.1RK AND MEYERHOF: SOIL STRESS AND PORE WATER PRESSURE
(01 TheOleticol Isobars
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For personal use only.
FIG. 17. Comparison of theoretical and experimental isobars of vertical stress for total load carried by base.
stress at the pile face with a very similar dis-
tribution to that recorded for the model piles.
The pore pressure immediately after driving
was equal to the total pressure but after about
3 weeks the average effective stress perpen-
dicular to the pile was about 500 p.s.f.
(0.24 kg/m2) greater than the earth pressure
at rest. The average effective pressure normal
to the pile was about 6 . 4 p.s.i. (0.45 kg/cm?)
and the average undrained shear strength
along the length of the pile was about 4
p.s.i. (0.28 kglcm?). The stress distribution
measured by Koizunii and Ito is shown in
Fig. 19 along with the load distribution during
loading of the pile.
As a part of an extensive timber pile testing
program in Calgary, Alberta, pressure cells
were installed prior to the driving of a pile
at a point equal to one pile diameter from
the face of the pile. The cells were placed at
depths of 6 f t (1.81n), 15 ft ( 4 . 6 m ) and 20
ft (6.1 m) below the ground surface and the
P (b) Experimental lsoban
I
pile was driven to a depth of 22.5 ft (6.9 m )
through a coliesive clayey silt and into a dense
sand. The average change in effective lateral
stress through the coliesive zone was 13.5
p.s.i. (0.95 kg/cm2). An exceptionally high
change in lateral stress, equal to 231 p.s.i.
( 16.2 kg/cmz), was recorded in the sand at the
20-ft (6. 1-m) depth. The average total and
effective radial stress acting along the pile
shaft through the cohesive zone is equal t o
approximately 18.5 p.s.i. (1 . 3 kg/cm2). T h e
average undrained strength is 11.5 p.s.i.
(0.81 kg/cmz). A similar testing program was
conducted in Edmonton, Alberta, where
the piles were entirely embedded in a firm
clay with the tip in a sandy and clayey silt.
Two pressure cells were installed at depths
of 8 and IS ft ( 2 . 4 and 5 . 9 m), adjacent t o
a pile driven to a depth of 24.5 ft. (7.5 m). The
change in total lateral pressure at these points
was 5 and 41 p.s.i. (0.35 and 2.87 kglcrn?),
respectively. The change in effective stress
 C:\NADIAN GEOTECHNICXL JOURNAL. T'OL. 9, 1972

P
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For personal use only.

1.75
r z I-
B B
(01 Bose 0,
~ h o f f 2 / ! 3 ,of
Tofol v ( b ) Bose q3, Shaff Q, of Total
Lood (Mindlin-Rudermon) Lood (~xperimentol)

FIG. 18. Comparison of theoretical and experimental isobars of vertical stress from model pile test.

eventually stabilized at 4 p.s.i. (0.28 kg/cmz)
and 1 1 . 6 p.s.i. (0.82 kg/cm2) at the two depths
recorded. The average effective stress was
equal to 12.5 p.s.i. (0.88 kg/cm2) along the
length of tlie pile. The average undrained
strength is 8 . 2 p.s.i. (0.58 kg/cm?). Table
3 provides a comparison of field data with
the model pile data for radial stress distribu-
tion along the shaft.
The average effective stress normal to the
pile for the model piles and field cases is
equal to 1 .57 c. For these cases, the shaft
capacity in terms of effective stress could be
expressed as :
Qs = A s (c:,' + 1.57 c tan 6')
where A s is the shaft area, c,' is the effective
adhesion at the time of the test, c is the un-
drained shear strength at the time of driving
and (J' is the effective skin friction angle.
For long term load capacity, the adhesion
would be neglected and the shaft capacity
would be approximately expressed as:
The magni~ude of the observed average
effective radial stress of about 1 . 6 c is sup-
ported by an approximate theoretical analysis
in which it is assumed that the volume of clay
displaced by the pile occupies an equivalent
annular zone adjacent to tlie shaft with an
outer radius of r, = 6
within which the
clay is fully consolidated. Substituting this
plastic boundary into Terzaghi's relation-
ship (1943), the average effective stress normal
to the pile for long-term load tests is given
by :
for friction angles of 4 = 20"-30" for the
present clays.
Conclusions
A. of' S o i l D i s p k ( ~ c e l ~ ~ e l11,ith
1171~estig~rtio11 lt
M o d e l Piles
( 1 ) For the soil used with the model
tests, the radial displacement along the shaft
can be calculated by applying Hill's equations
 CL.4RIC .\ND NEYERHOI:: SOIL STRESS AND PORE \V;\TER PRESSURE

Pressure - kg/crn2
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(a) Distribution of Total Stress and Pore Water

Pressure Acting on the Surface of Pile Immediately
and 3 Weeks After Driving.
For personal use only.

Load - tons
(b) Distribution of the Axial Load in the Single Pile.
FIG. 19. Res~dtsof pilc test - Koizumi & Ito 1967.

l'or the e x ~ a n s i o nof a cvlindrical shell and
by assuming a modulus of elasticity corre-
sponding to the strain a t peak undrained
shear strength for the soil. The displacement
near the base is closer to the tlleoretical
solution for a n expanding spherical shell.
(2) The theoretical solution for soil dis-
placement based o n the assunlption of no
Golumetric strain and radial lane strain
represents the upperbound solution to dis-
placement.
(3) The elastic-plastic boundary for the
soil surrounding the pile at the time-of driving
appears to be between 2 . 8 and 3 . 2 in.
( 7 . 1 and 8 . 1 cm) or 1.9-2.1 times the pile
radius, ro, from the center of the pile.
(4) A change in stress-strain relationship
for the soil into which the pile is driven will
result in a change in the position of the
elastic-plastic boundary and the soil dis-
placement.
B. Pore Pressure Deselopecl Neor Model Piles
The excess pore pressure due to driving
(I)
increases with depth and decreases with
distance from the pile.
(2) The actual pore pressure set up as a
result of driving is less than the theoretical
 372 CANADIAN GEOTECHNICAL JOURNAL. VOL. 9, 1972

TABLE3. Summary of average effective radial stress intermediate principal stress by a depth of
in terms of undrained shear strength about 6 ro and approximately equal to the
minor principal stress near the bottom of the
Undrained Average effective pile.
shear radial pressure
strength after stabilization* (4) The stress distributions suggest that
C ~ r ' 71' a condition of plane stress exists at the top
Pile (psi) (psi) C of the pile with a gradual transition to plane
radial strain with increased depth.
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C 1.95 3.0 1.54

D 1.85 3 .O 1.62 (5) The major principal stress is very close
E 2.0 3.0 1.50 to horizontal immediately after the pile is
Koizumi & driven except near the top of the pile, where it
Ito 4.0 6.4 1.60 is inclined about 45" to the pile. This stress
Pile 4, rotates as the pile is loaded. Along the shaft
Calgary 11.5 18.5 1.61
Pile 4, the stress rotates downward, with respect to
Edmonton 8.2 12.5 1.53 the shaft, whereas at the level of the base, it
'Taken as after one week for piles C , D and E, taken as after rotates upward. This does not appear to
three mceks for field cases. influence bearing capacity other than as
manifested by the slight lowering of average
pore pressures because of the unrestricted radial stress during a load test.
drainage. The actual pore pressure will ap-
( 6 ) The stress distribution below the base
proach the theoretical case when a large pile is qualitatively similar to the theoretical dis-
For personal use only.

is driven into a clay of very low permeability.
(3) The rate of dissipation of the excess
pore pressure is very rapid for the model
piles and is virtually complete by the end of
driving, near the top of the pile. Ninety per-
cent dissipation at all depths appears to occur
within the first 30 min after driving. The
build up and dissipation rate appears to be
a function of the pile diameter as well as the
soil properties.
(4) The change in pore water pressure
along the shaft of the pile is insignificant
during load tests. Much greater change is
found below the base of the pile.
C. Stress in Soil Near Model Piles
(1) The magnitude of the total and
effective radial stress surrounding the pile
is primarily related to the stress changes
brought about when the pile is driven. Sub-
sequent changes with time and loading are
insignificant relative to these initial values.
The average radial stress increases as the pile
is loaded to failure.
(2) The magnitude of the tangential and
vertical stresses surrounding the pile appear
to be controlled to a greater extent by the
changes that occur with time and repeated
loading than the stresses induced during
driving.
(3) The tangential stress is the major
principal stress near the top of the pile, the
tribution (see for example Terzaghi 1943) but
departs markedly from the quantitative theo-
retical distribution largely because of locked
in stresses. Part of the locked in stress is
induced during driving, but it is increased
after each load test. Even after the base is
removed from the pile, a substantial locked
in stress remains.
D. Comparison of Field Records n r d Model
Tests
The field cases examined generally involved
much stiffer clays than the model piles but
the measured effective radial stress developed
as a result of driving showed a similar rela-
tionship with the undrained strength. The
average effective stress acting normal to the
pile was found to be equal to approximately
1 .60c. This value would be affected by several
factors which influence the undrained-strength
of clay.
Acknowledgments
The model pile tests were carried out at the
Nova Scotia Technical College in Halifax
with partial financial support in the form of
a Grant in Aid from the National Research
Council of Canada. The field cases cited for
Calgary and Edmonton are extracted from
an extensive testing program on piles con-
ducted in the two cities. This program was
 CLXlZK .\ND MEYERI-IOF: SOIL STRESS .\ND PORE
sponsored by The Canadian Institute o f
Timber Construction and the Department of
Public Works, Province of Alberta.
HURMISTER, D. M. 1940. Stress cllstribution for pilc
f o ~ ~ ~ c l a t i o nProc.,
s. Purduc Conf. Soil Mech.
I ~ O M A S C I IL. U K1968., An analysis of porc water stress
through a scparation of thc nlcan normal and
Can. Geotech. J. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by 159.203.46.41 on 06/07/18
cleviator~c components of stress. 21st Can. Soil
Mech. Conf., Winnipeg, Manitoba.
CORBUNOV-POSADOV, M. I. 1968. Displacement and
compaction of soil by a driven pile. Soil Mech.
Found. Eng. (trans. from Russian) Sept-Oct.
5 , pp. 313-318.
HILL,R . 1949. General features of plastic-elastic prob-
lenis as exemplified by sonie particular solutions.
J. Appl. Mech., Sept. pp. 295-300.
--F 1950. Thc niathematical t h c o ~y of plasticity.
Oxford University Press, New York.
For personal use only.
IV.\TER PRESSURE 373
, and ITO, K . 1967. Field tests with regard to
K o l z u ~ r Y.
pilc driving and bearing capacity of piled founda-
tions. Soil Found. Rev~ie,Japan, 3, pp. 30-52.
LADANYI, B. 1963 Expansion of a cavity in a saturated
clay medium. Proceed. Am. Soc. Civ. Eng. July
pp. 127-161.
MEYERHOF, G. G. 1962 Some problenis In the clesign
of rigid retaining walls. Proc. 15 th. Can. Soil Mech.
Conf. pp. 59-69.
MINDLIN, R. D. 1936. Force at a point in the interior of
a semiinfinite solid. Physics, 7, pp. 395-201.
NADAI,A. 1950. Theory of flow and fracture of solids.
McCraw-Hill Book Co., New York.
SODERBERG, L. 0. 1967 Consolidation theory applied
to foundation pile timc effects. Geotechniq~~c,
12, pp. 217-232.
TAYLOR,D. W. 1948 Fundanlcntals o f soil mechanics.
John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.
TERZAGHI, K . 1943 Theoretical soil meclianics. John
Wiley and Sons Inc., New York.