Evaluation of pile foudation options for hydraulic structures in the Mekong Delta

Abstract

This study objectives to evaluate the pile foundation options for hydraulic structures in the Mekong Delta. Collected documents such as topography, geology, hydrology and size of hydraulic works in four provinces in the Mekong Delta (An Giang, Kien Giang, Vinh Long and Ca Mau) were collected to conduct calculations and comparisons based on economic and technical aspects among different pile distribution options in foundations. They include “traditional” vertical piles, two-side-inclined piles and large-diagonal piles. The results of the cross-section, amount and length of piles distributed at the sluice-gate foundations show that the decreasing tendency of pile amount of the large-diagonal pile option is more than that of other pile distribution options when increasing the pile length. In addition, based on the results of economic-technical comparison, it shows that the geological properties and the ratio between horizontal and vertical forces (N/P) greatly affect the selection of optimal pile distribution options. The case study at four sluice-gates shows that when the ratio N/P is less than 0,11, the vertical pile option is the economically optimal option; and the two-side-inclined pile option is technically optimal solution. However, when the ratio N/P is greater than 0,13, the option of large-diagonal pile is the optimal solution in terms of both economic and technical aspects.