Abstract
In Hong Kong, large-diameter (${\ge}600mm$) bored piles and large-section excavated rectangular barrettes are commonly used to support tall buildings to resist both vertical and horizontal loads. These piles and barrettes penetrate through and may found in saprolitic soils and decomposed rocks. Generally, the design of these large bored piles and barrettes involves considerable amount of uncertainty and design parameters must usually be verified by field tests. In this paper, over 50 full-scale load tests on large-diameter bored piles and over 15 large-section of rectangular barrettes in Hong Kong are reviewed and interpreted critically, in particular the degree of mobilisation of side shear resistance using a mobilization rating (MR) factor and a displacement index (DI) for floating bored piles and barrettes and rock-socketed piles, respectively. The author was heavily involved with many of these load tests. The diameter of the bored piles tested ranges from 0.6m to 1.8m and the depth varies from 12m to 75m. Sizes of barrettes critically reviewed include $2.2m{\times}0.6m,\;2.2m{\times}0.8m,\;2.8m{\times}0.8m\;and\;2.8m{\times}1.0m$ (on plan) and the depth varies from 36m and 63m. Based on these field tests, a new failure load criterion for large-diameter bored piles and barrettes is developed and proposed. The side shear resistance of the bored piles and barrettes is quantitatively analyzed with respect to local displacements, standard penetration tests, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) for rock sockets and using the effective stress principle. In addition, the effects of construction including post-grouting, construction time, side scraping and excavation tools on side shear resistance are investigated and reported.