Model Pile‐Settlement Behavior in Frozen Sand

Abstract

Small cyclic loads, superimposed on a static load, will significantly increase settlement rates of friction piles embedded in frozen ground. An experimental study involving model steel piles with controlled surface geometry (lug size, shape, and spacing) provides information on displacement mechanisms operating at the pile/frozen‐sand interface. Settlement rates due to static and incremental static loads are analyzed and compared to rate increases resulting from superimposed cyclic loads. Variables controlled during these tests include cyclic load amplitude, load application frequency, static load magnitudes, pile surface roughness, sand density, ice fraction, and sand particle size. Typically, a small static load increase of magnitude