EFFECT OF DRYING-WETTING PROCESS ON FRICTION CAPACITY AND ADHESION FACTOR OF PILE FOUNDATION IN CLAYEY SOIL

Clayey soils had a seasonal water content change, which occurred in the zone known as active zone. This change happen due to the seasonal drying and wetting cycles, which affects the fluctuation of water table. The water content variation causes the change in undrained shear strength and these changes have an impact to the friction capacity and adhesion factor of pile foundation. This paper discusses the undrained shear strength, friction capacity of pile and adhesion factor of piles under drying and wetting cycles. Research was conducted on two different types of clayey soils. Laboratory experiments for varying soil water content were done. Soil samples were placed in a cylinder tube, the concrete pile model was then inserted into the soil. The diameter of the tube was about 15 times of the pile diameter. Loading test was carried out to investigate pile friction capacity. The result of this study showed that there was great effect of seasonal water content change on undrained shear strength, friction capacity and also adhesion factor of pile in the clayey soils.