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

72The testing and analysis of groups of piers was more complex. The groups of piers wereexpected to develop lateral stresses within the surrounding matrix soil as well as individualpiers did, however to a greater extent due to an increased area of the footing loading. Littleinformation is available in the literature regarding the extent of the influence and the spacingnecessary for groups of piers within a confined test bed space, therefore, a conservativeapproach of spacing groups of piers was taken as outlined in Figure 43 and Figure 44. Whilehaving two mix variations of aggregate pier and cement type I and K composition groups ofpiers to be tested, the test bed preparation and pier placement locations were kept as identicalas possible.Figure 41: Test bed single isolated pier layout (top view)