Laterally Loaded Pile Study in Permafrost of Northern Québec, Canada

Abstract

This paper describes a study undertaken at Umiujaq, in northern Québec, on laterally loaded piles in permafrost subject to a constant displacement rate. Test results of bending moments, shear load, soil reaction, and pile displacements demonstrate the complex nature of creep of frozen soils. FEM simulations show a good concurrence with field test results and confirm a clear distinction between stationary and nonstationary creep.