Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Cavities outside the casing can lead to serious defects in the pile, particularly if they
are water filled. Figure 7.12 shows the mechanism of the formation of the defect and
Figures 7.13 and 7.14 show examples of defective piles. If air-filled voids exist outside
the casing, defects are not structurally as serious (Figure 7.15). Normally the concrete
in the shaft would slump to fill the cavity resulting in bulbous projections. There is a
Figure 7.11
Separation of pile shaft caused by extraction of casing. (Photograph courtesy of CIRIA,
London.)
Figure 7.12
Schematic presentation of formation of water-filled cavities. (Illustration courtesy of
Cementation Piling and Foundations Ltd., Rickmansworth.)
