INVESTIGATION OF FAILURE PATTERNS IN SAND DUE TO LATERALLY LOADED PILE USING X-RAY CT

The objective of this paper is to investigate three dimensional (3-D) failure patterns in sand due to a laterally loaded pile using X-ray CT. Here, a new apparatus of model loading test in which X-ray CT is employed for monitoring failure pattern of the ground around a pile was developed and a series of model loading tests were conducted using this apparatus. CT scanning was done for the model ground at several levels of loadings which were applied at the pile head. Not only cross sectional images for the ground but also those in 3-D were reconstructed. A proper image processing analysis was conducted in order to obtain effective CT images. And, the failure patterns of the ground under laterally loaded piles were visualized. It is emphasized that three dimensional failure patterns of the ground due to laterally loaded pile were visualized for the first time using X-ray CT.