ABSTRACT
This centrifuge research project is aimed at exploring the behaviour of minipile groups in stiff clay. Complex apparatus has been specifically developed to allow centrifuge testing of a number of different minipile groups within a single clay sample and to allow installation of piles with high accuracy. Aluminium model piles are being installed in overconsolidated kaolin clay; the piles are being loaded vertically and tested to failure. The initial two tests comprise five piles in a linear arrangement at a variety of spacings ranging from 1.25 to 3.0 pile diameters. The main purpose of the linear group tests is intended to determine an optimum pile spacing, which can then be carried through to more complex groups in circular or square arrangements (as shown in Figure 1 below). The paper presents results from these first two tests and also discusses the next stage of planned work.
