Experimental research of pile toe resistance in natural conditions

The model presented in this paper was prepared to determine the pile toe resistance mobilization mechanism. Due to the fact, that skin resistance of piles was widely analyzed by the Authors in previous papers [1,2] which were based on both field and laboratory test results, currently the main focus is to describe the mobilization of pile toe resistance. The physical experimental model consists of a chamber measuring 2.2 m, 2.4 m and 6.0 m in width, length, and height, respectively, filled with cohesionless soil. The model has a hydraulic cylinder to apply force at the pile head and equipment to measure pile settlement with force mobilized at the pile base. The purpose of this research was to verify previously formulated methods referring to the M–K curves. Furthermore, the research allowed us to examine if the relationship between pile toe resistance and force applied at the pile head is linear. As a result of the tests, it was confirmed that for purposes of practical engineering calculations, the resistance of the pile toe can be described regarding the load, which is applied at the pile head. The description of this relationship is presented with M–K curve parameters.