Finite Element Modelling of a Bidirectional Pile Test in Vietnam

Abstract

Static loading test on single piles for verification is commonly required, yet very expensive and difficult to perform, especially for the large-diameter bored piles. The bidirectional test, also-called Osterberg cell test, is nowadays very common in Vietnam. The Finite Element Method (FEM), which is a reliable tool for simulating loading tests, can also be used to model a bi-directional pile test. In this paper, FEM is used for modelling a bidirectional test on a 2.5m-diameter, 80m long bored pile at the Cao Lanh cable-stayed bridge in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The FEM results are compared with the monitored data obtained from the bi-directional test. The comparison showed that FEM can be an effective and reliable tool in this case. The FEM is performed using PLAXIS 2D.