Study on the Ratio and Model Test of Similar Materials of Heavily Weathered Granite

• Published in: Materials Vol. 17; no. 21; p. 5324
• Main Authors: Hu, Guofeng, Song, Weihao, Yu, Xinran, Lin, Mingbao, Tie, Yunlong, He, Ben
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Alcohol; Analysis; Barite; Bending moments; Cementing; Deformation; Design optimization; Design specifications; Design techniques; Elastic foundations; Engineering; Friction; Granite; Green technology; Gypsum; Impact analysis; large single pile; Load; Load tests; Material properties; Mechanical properties; model test; Offshore; Offshore energy sources; Offshore engineering; offshore foundations; Pile foundations; Pile load tests; Powders; Ratios; Raw materials; Rosin; similar material ratio test; Simulation; Vertical loads; Wind power; Fujian China; China
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma17215324

To study the bearing characteristics of rock-socketed single piles on the southeast coast of Fujian Province, we conducted similar material ratio tests and single pile model tests. Initially, based on the mechanical parameters of strongly weathered granite, 10 groups of similar material samples were prepared using iron concentrate powder, barite powder, and quartz sand as aggregates, with rosin and alcohol as the cementing agents and gypsum as the modulating agent. Through triaxial testing and range and variance analysis, it was determined that the binder concentration has the most significant impact on the material properties. Consequently, Specimen 1 was selected as the simulation material. In the model test, the strongly weathered granite stratum was simulated using the ratio of Specimen 1. A horizontal load was applied using a pulley weight system, and the displacement at the top of the pile was measured with a laser displacement meter, resulting in a horizontal load–displacement curve. The results indicated that the pile foundation remained in an elastic state until a displacement of 2.5 mm. Measurements of the horizontal displacement and bending moment of the pile revealed that the model pile behaves as a flexible pile; the bending moment initially increases along the pile length and then decreases, approaching zero at the pile’s bottom. The vertical load test analyzed the relationship between vertical load and settlement of the single pile, as well as its variation patterns. This study provides an experimental basis for the design of single pile foundations in weathered granite formations on the southeast coast of Fujian Province and aids in optimizing offshore wind power engineering practices.