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12) Negative Skin Friction

z Side friction resistance:

- Relative movements between surrounding soils and pile for side
friction

In general Downdrag force

z Downdrag force develops when relative downward movements of soil to

the pile occur.
⇒ Observations show that relative displacements of 0.6(in) is needed to
generate full downdrag force.

z Downdrag movement caused by any increase of effective stress in

surrounding soil;
y Dewatering.
y Surface loads after installation of piles.
- Granular soil fill over clay
⇐ consolidation of clay layer by fill load
- Clay fill over granular soil
⇐ self-consolidation of clay fill
y Dissipation of excess pore water pressure induced by pile driving.

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ex) Dewatering

Lowering

At excavation site, construction dewatering causes downdrag forces.

y Lower water level
→ Cause consolidation settlements by increase of vertical effective
stress

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z Estimation of downdrag (similar to β method)

i) Clay fill over granular soils

y The unit negative skin friction on the pile is

f n = K 'σ v' tan δ (= N s' σ v' )

where K ' ≡ earth pressure coefficient

= K 0 = 1 − sin φ '

σ v' = γ f ' z

δ = soil-pile friction angle ≈ (0.5 − 0.7)φ '

y Hence the total downward drag force, Qn on a pil e is
Hf
Qn = ∫ { pK ' γ 'f tan δ ⋅ z}dz
0

1
= pK ' γ 'f H 2f tan δ
2
where p = perimeter of pile.

H f = height of fill.

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ii) Granular soil fill over clay

z The negative skin friction on the pile exists from z=0 to z=L₁as shown
below.

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z Neutral depth L1 : up to L1, the negative skin friction is activated.

( L − H f ) L − H f γ 'f H f 2γ 'f H f
L1 = [ + ]−
L1 2 γ' γ'

For end bearing piles, the neutral depth may be assumed to be located
at pile tip (L1=L-Hf).

L1 L1
Qn = ∫ pf n dz = ∫ pK ' (γ 'f H f + γ ' z ) tan δdz
0 0

1 2
= ( pK ' γ ' H f tan δ ) L1 + L1 pK ' γ ' tan δ
2

z Applying loads = Q pile cap + Qn

z Resistance = Qs + Q p (Qs not for fully embedded length of pile but only

for length where upward frictional resistance is

mobilized.)
Qs + Q p
z Qallow = ≥ Q pile cap + Qn
FS

z To reduce downdrag
1. Predrilled hole, then install pile (reduce K).
2. Coat the pile with bitumen(reducing δ ).

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13) Drilled Piers and Caissons

i) Drilled Piers (Drilled Shafts)

z Cast-in-place pile with D>75cm

z Advantages

z Disadvantage

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z Construction Procedures
1. Dry method of construction (Stiff soils above the water table).
a) initial drilling
b) starting concrete pour
c) placing rebar cage
d) completed shaft

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2. Casing method of construction

a) initial drilling
b) drilling with slurry
c) introducing casing
d) casing is sealed and slurry is being removed from interior of casing

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e) drilling below casing

f) underreaming
g) pouring concrete and removing casing
h) completing shaft
* Note : Either all casing or partial casing can be used.

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3. Wet method of construction.

a) drilling to full depth with slurry (and slurry is removed)
b) placing rebar cage
c) pouring concrete
d) completing shaft

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z Analytical approach to predict capacity

: Same procedures as driven piles
(but different values of fs are used)

ii) Caissons
z Substructure element used at wet construction sites such as rivers, lakes
and docks

z Types of Caissons
1) Open caissons

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2) Box caissons

Should be leveled

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3) Pneumatic caissons

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