G MS THESIS_final version_Maxim Prokudin.pdf - Digital Repository ...

158As a result, no definitive conclusion can be made regarding successfully utilizing cementtype K or NS7 components, while addition of fiber has proven to negatively impact thestrength of the pier.Single PiersBulgingAs some of the tested piers failed through bulging mechanism, the associated findings areprovided below:sand, and loess, fiber composition piers failed by internal deformation or shearing,short sand, and loess, fiber composition piers have shown no change or reduction instress concentration as the loads approached critical or ultimate condition,long sand pier was proven to increase bearing capacity by a much margin of 1.4.Piers, failed by bulging, were found to lose their stiffness at increasing amount of imposedload and have shown to increase bearing capacity by a small factor.PlungingAs some of the tested piers failed through plunging mechanism, the associated findings areprovided below:the cement type I and K composition single pier was found to provide better loadresistance than unit cell,cementitious composition piers had a significant improvement in bearing capacity ofthe matrix soil by a factor of 2-3.Piers, failed by plunging, have shown a great improvement in bearing capacity, howeversingle pier versus unit cell strength relationship must be verified through additional testing.