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

160Group of Aggregate Piers versus C(I) + C(K) PiersSeveral findings were discovered to be associated with the behavior of both aggregate pierand cement type I and K composition piers within the group:trend of reduction of the group efficiency with increasing amount of load was noticedi.e. piers and groups of piers featured greater group efficiency at service loadconditions and much lesser efficiency at failure,regardless of the pier length, the same type of group of piers (ex. Group of 4) hadproduced similar amount of stiffness and resistance to the imposed load,independently of the material being used, the groups of two, four, five and six pierswere able to bear the similar amount of stress imposed on the piers, while thestiffness ratio of single piers was greatly dependent on the pier composition material.Important findings were discovered for the groups of piers, where the material and lengthparameters didn’t necessarily have a significant effect on the group of pier stiffness ratios.Overall, the obtained results have exceeded any expectation. The variety of material, length,and performance of a single pier within a group discoveries are of a great benefit from thetechnical and scientific stand points. Moreover, the findings have opened a great variety ofopportunities and options for a future and more in-depth research.