FIELD EVALUATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE PILES USING ILLINOIS PCC COAL BY-PRODUCTS
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Title
FIELD EVALUATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE PILES USING ILLINOIS PCC COAL BY-PRODUCTS
ICCI Project ID
00-1/3.1B-2
Investigator
Kumar
Institution
Southern Illinois University
ICCI Abstract
Pre-cast and pre-stressed concrete piles, approximately 12 to 18 inch diameter or side are frequently used to support heavy building and bridge structures. Use of coal combustion by-products in construction of pre-cast or pre-stressed concrete piles so far has been very limited. This is primarily due to the lack of available data demonstrating the effective use of these coal combustion residues in these piles. Therefore, the objectives of this project were to develop viable composites utilizing Illinois pulverized coal combustion (PCC) by-products, and to demonstrate their suitability for construction of pre-cast concrete piles.
The goals of the proposed study were accomplished by conducting a series of laboratory and field tests. Based on a previous study performed at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC), two concrete composites and an equivalent conventional concrete matrix were selected to conduct further laboratory testing and construct the piles. The two concrete composites selected were: (1) 100 percent replacement of natural fine aggregate with dry PCC bottom ash; and (2) 50 percent replacement of natural fine aggregate with PCC dry bottom ash. Several samples from these concrete composites and conventional concrete were prepared and tested in the concrete laboratory. Based on the laboratory tests performed so far, the effect of replacement of natural fine aggregate with Illinois PCC dry bottom ash on long-term strength and stiffness characteristics of concrete composites is relatively insignificant.
In addition to the laboratory tests performed on concrete composites, subsurface investigation and subsequent laboratory testing on soil samples was also completed. In general, the soils at the site consisted of silty clays and clays underlain by very stiff to hard, sandy clay shale at depths of approximately 21 feet.
A total of 16 pre-cast concrete and 3 pre-stressed concrete piles were constructed and installed. All piles were 1 foot square in cross-section and varied in length from 20 to 22 feet. Piles were tested to determine their capacities to resist field loads (compression, uplift, and lateral). The field-test results show that the performance of piles made from bottom ash concrete is similar to those made from conventional concrete.
The goals of the proposed study were accomplished by conducting a series of laboratory and field tests. Based on a previous study performed at Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIUC), two concrete composites and an equivalent conventional concrete matrix were selected to conduct further laboratory testing and construct the piles. The two concrete composites selected were: (1) 100 percent replacement of natural fine aggregate with dry PCC bottom ash; and (2) 50 percent replacement of natural fine aggregate with PCC dry bottom ash. Several samples from these concrete composites and conventional concrete were prepared and tested in the concrete laboratory. Based on the laboratory tests performed so far, the effect of replacement of natural fine aggregate with Illinois PCC dry bottom ash on long-term strength and stiffness characteristics of concrete composites is relatively insignificant.
In addition to the laboratory tests performed on concrete composites, subsurface investigation and subsequent laboratory testing on soil samples was also completed. In general, the soils at the site consisted of silty clays and clays underlain by very stiff to hard, sandy clay shale at depths of approximately 21 feet.
A total of 16 pre-cast concrete and 3 pre-stressed concrete piles were constructed and installed. All piles were 1 foot square in cross-section and varied in length from 20 to 22 feet. Piles were tested to determine their capacities to resist field loads (compression, uplift, and lateral). The field-test results show that the performance of piles made from bottom ash concrete is similar to those made from conventional concrete.
Start Date
11/1/2000
End Date
12/31/2001
Year Funded
2000
Collection
Citation
“FIELD EVALUATION OF PRECAST CONCRETE PILES USING ILLINOIS PCC COAL BY-PRODUCTS,” ICCI Reports, accessed May 20, 2024, https://isgswikis.web.illinois.edu/icci_reports/items/show/27.