Field tests on laterally loaded Starfin screw piles in sand

This paper presents the results of field tests on laterally loaded Starfin screw pile conducted in sand in Queensland,Australia. First, the characterisation of the test site, site investigation and determination of the sand properties are described. Then, the Starfin screw piles and the field test setting up are presented. Next, the results obtained from the lateral load tests on four series of Starfin piles of three different combinations of fins and shaft diameters are presented. Finally, the test results were analyzed and discussed. The measured lateral load-displacement and moment-rotation responses of the piles were back-calculated using the elastoplastic solutions, which allows both the serviceability and ultimate limit state behavior of the Starfin piles to be captured.