An Evaluation of the Load-Displacement Behavior and Load Test Interpretation of Micropiles in Rock

This paper summarizes a series of never-before reported axial compression load tests conducted on single micropiles that are embedded in or constructed on rock. These data are augmented by load tests on similar micropiles that have been reported by others. The observed displacements at the maximum test load (QMAX) and reported unfactored design load (QDL) are summarized. In addition, the small-strain load-displacement behavior of these foundations is evaluated by comparing the initial tangent slope (IS) to the theoretical elastic slope (ES), which is calculated by modeling the micropile as a free-standing column exhibiting fully -composite behavior. The data demonstrate that the ES/IS ratio has a strong dependence on the slenderness ratio D[depth]/B[diameter]. The observed results for micropiles in rock are discussed in the context of the micropile load test acceptance criteria proposed by the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI, 2001). In addition, recommendations are proposed for the maximum acceptable vertical displacement under the unfactored design load for such micropiles