Model Test Research on Horizontal Bearing Characteristics of Close-Ended Valibale Section Pipe Pile

Base on indoor model tests of three variable section pipe piles and two constant section pipe piles performed in foundation pit,the load transfer mechanism of two kinds of close-ended pipe piles are studied by comparing horizontal load-displacement curves, critical load and bending moment of piles. Results show that horizontal load-displacement curves change slowly and horizontal bearing capacity of valiable section pipe piles will be higher than constant section pipe piles with equal average diameters.Comparing with constant section pipe piles 1# and 2# with equal average diameters, unit volume horizontal critical bearing capacity of 3# and 4# are improved 8.7% and 34.2% respectively and which have different degrees of increse with improvement of valiable section ratio. Moreover,there are two maximum bending moment to valialble section pipe piles insteard of one to constant section pipe piles.To pipe piles 3#,4# and 5#, maximum bending moment ratio of big diameter pipe to small diameter pipe of valiable section pipe pile are 3.13、2.33 and 1.89 respectively. To pipe piles 3# and 4#, maximum bending moments of big diameter pipe are improved 26.8% and 28.4%.Howeverm,maximum bending moment of small diameter pipe are improved 54.1% and 111.8%.So,it is very clear that valiable section pipe pile is more reasonable than constant section pipe pile in bearing characteristics.