Prediction of Axial Capacity of Straight Shafts and Augercast Piles in Clay Soil

A side by side comparison of straight shafts and augercast piles in expansive clay conditions was evaluated in a research project studied at the University of Texas at Arlington and these results showed the performance of both foundations was similar. There was little difference in axial capacity measurements when drilled shafts and augercast piles were constructed with the same diameter and the length. Capacity predictions with theoretical models showed good agreements with the measured results. Also, these analyses results showed that when augercast piles or drilled shafts were constructed in a clay environment, there is no perceptible difference in the skin friction and end bearing resistance factors when predicting ultimate capacity.