Shaft Capacity Assessment of Recharge Impulse Technology Piles

Abstract

This paper discusses the performance of Recharge Impulse Technology (RIT) in increasing the shaft capacity of deep foundation systems regarding classical set-up processes. Based on the major contributors behind such performances: the shape effect and the electrical discharge installation, a case study is analyzed in view of highlighting that the coupling of these two components leads to a reasonable estimation of RIT shaft capacity with reference to in situ loading tests. A related design chart estimating the contribution of the shape effect in the increase of the shaft capacity had been drawn and a mean power law was proposed through a parametric study on the adhesion factor.