An experimental program was conducted to investigate some aspects of in-plane behaviour of masonry infilled steel frames. Eight concrete masonry infilled steel frames, consisting of three fully grouted and five partially grouted infills, were tested under combined lateral and axial loading. All specimens were constructed using one-third scale concrete masonry units. The in-plane lateral load was gradually increased at the frame top beam level until the failure of the specimen while an axial load was applied to the top beam and held constant. The parameters of the study included axial load, extent of grouting, opening, and aspect ratio of the infill. The experimental results were used, along with other test results from the literature, to evaluate the efficacy of stiffness and strength predictions by some theoretical methods with a focus on Canadian and American design codes. Cracking pattern, stiffness, failure mode, crack strength, and ultimate strength of the specimens were monitored and reported. Presence of axial load was found to increase the ultimate strength of the infilled frame but had no marked effect on its stiffness. Two specimens exhibited “splitting failure” due to axial load. Partially grouted specimens developed extensive diagonal cracking prior to failure whereas fully grouted specimens showed little or no cracking prior to failure. An increase in grouting increased the ultimate strength of the frame system but reduced its ductility. Presence of opening reduced the ultimate strength of the infilled frame and increased its ductility but its effect on the stiffness of the frame system was not significant. A review of current Canadian and American design codes showed that the Canadian code significantly overestimates the stiffness of infilled frames whereas the American code provides improved predictions for stiffness of these frame systems. Both design codes underestimate the strength of masonry infilled steel frames but grossly overestimate the strength of masonry infilled RC frames. / Masonry infilled steel frames tested under combined axial and lateral loading. Behaviour as affected by axial load, grouting, aspect ratio and openings discussed. Correlation between axial load level and the infill lateral resistance examined. Efficacy of the Canadian and American masonry standards on infill design was examined.

Student Number : 0100677A - PhD thesis - School of Civil and Environmental Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / This thesis presents the findings on empirical study of dry-stack masonry. Dry-stack masonry refers to a method of building masonry walls, where most of the masonry units are laid without mortar in the joints. Of late (since mid eighties) in modern construction, dry-stacking or mortarless technology is increasingly becoming popular because of its advantages. The construction industry is acknowledging the need to accelerate the masonry construction process, as the traditional method is labour intensive and hence slower due to the presence of a large number of mortar joints. Early attempts were made to increase the size of masonry units (block instead of brick), thereby reducing the number of mortar joints, wherein the use of bedding mortar imposed constraints on the number of courses to be constructed in a day. Elimination of bedding mortar accelerates construction; thereby reducing cost, variation due to workmanship and generally small pool of skilled labour is required in dry stacking. Dry-stack masonry is a relatively new technology not yet regulated in the code of practice and therefore very limited information on the structural behaviour of the masonry is available. This project is based on the investigation of the HYDRAFORM dry-stack system, which utilises compressed soil-cement interlocking, blocks. The system is now widely used in Africa, Asia and South America. The main objective of the project was to establish through physical testing the capacity of the system to resist lateral load (e.g. wind load), vertical load and dynamic load such as earthquake loading. In the first phase of the project investigations were conducted under static loading where series of full-scale wall panels were constructed in the laboratory and tested under lateral loading, and others were tested under vertical loading to establish the mode of failure and load capacity of the system. Series of control tests were also conducted by testing series of wallettes to establish failure mechanism of the units and to establish the flexural strength of the system. Finally the test results were used for modelling, where load prediction models for the system under vertical loading and under lateral loading were developed. The theoretical load prediction models were tested against the test results and show good agreement. After the load capacity was established the next step in the study was to further improve the system for increased capacity particularly under dynamic loading. The normal Hydraform system was modified by introducing a conduit, which allows introduction of reinforcements. Series of dry-stack seismic systems were constructed and initially tested under static lateral loading to establish the lateral load capacity. The second Phase of the project was to investigate the structural behaviour and performance of the Hydraform system under seismic loading. A shaking table of 20 tonnes payload, (4m x 4m) in plan was designed and fabricated. A full-scale plain dry-stack masonry house was constructed on the shaking table and subjected to seismic base motions. The shaking table test was performed using sine wave signals excitations starting from low to very severe intensity. A conventional masonry test structure of similar parameters was also constructed on the table and tested in a similar manner for comparison. The tests were conducted using a frequency range of 1Hz to 12Hz and the specimens were monitored for peak accelerations and displacements. For both specimens the initial base motion was 0.05g. The study established the mode of failure of the system; the structural weak points of unreinforced dry-stack masonry, the general structural response of the system under seismic condition and the failure load. The plain dry-stack masonry failed at 0.3g and the conventional masonry failed at 0.6g. Finally recommendations for further strengthening of system to improve its lateral capacity were proposed.

In this study, bending moment distributions developed in laterally loaded passive pile and passive pile groups in cohesionless soil were investigated in laboratory conditions through model pile experiments. Different from the active pile loading, the lateral load was given directly to the piles using a movable large direct shear box. In these experiments strain gauges fastened to the piles and a computer based data reading system were used. The strain values were measured at five levels on the piles. The behavior of a single pile and a pile group having five piles were investigated through strain measurements in order to observe bending moment distribution on the piles. After evaluating the test results, the behavior of passive single pile was found to be similar to the results obtained in early studies. Negative bending moments were observed at the specified depths above the shear plane and positive bending moments were measured at the level of the shear plane and below the shear plane. Maximum bending moments were obtained at 0.7L (L: Length of Pile) for single piles and piles in the group. Above the shear plane, maximum bending moments within the pile group were found to be developed on the piles nearest to the loading. On the shear plane maximum bending moments were developed on the piles farthest from the loading just like active piles. Below the shear plane, maximum bending moments were developed mainly on the piles nearest to the loading.

Out-of-plane laterally loaded masonry wall panels are still much used in modem structures. However due to their anisotropic and highly composite nature, it is extremely difficult to understand their behaviour and to date there is no analytical method that is capable of accurately predicting the response of masonry panels to the applied loadings. This is one of the major obstacles in analysing and designing masonry structures. This research studied a new method that accurately predicts the response of laterally loaded masonry wall panels. In this dissertation, the method of using corrector factors developed by previous researchers was further studied using model updating and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques based on previous experimental results of full scale wall panels tested in the University of Plymouth. A specialised non-linear finite element analysis (FEA) program was used to implement the method developed in this study. The analytical response was compared with other experimental results from different laboratories. Initially, it was found that there was some obvious noise in the experimental load deflection data, which made comparison between FEA and the experimental results very difficult. The research therefore proposed a methodology for minimising the experimental noise based on 3D surface fitting and regression analyses applied to lateral deflection experimental data. The next step was the detailed study of corrector factors using the numerical model updating procedure. Corrector factors were determined for various zones within a masonry panel (the Base Panel) by minimising the discrepancy between the experimental load deflection data and those obtained from non-linear FE analysis. A detailed model updating procedure was studied including the model analysis, the objective function and the constraint function for the genetic algorithm (GA). A uniqueness study to corrector factors was also carried out. The following step was undertaken to analyse general masonry wall panels using the findings of this study. The concept of zone similarities proposed by previous researcher, which was based on the relative distance of each zone from similar boundaries, was used for applying correctors from the base panel to the new panel to be analysed. A modified cellular automata (CA) model was used to match the similar zones between the new panel and the base panel. The generality and robustness of this method was validated using a number of masonry wall panels tested by various organizations. These walls were single leaf masonry wall panels of clay bricks with different boundary types, dimensions, with and without openings. The main finding in this research are that the boundary effects have a major influence on the response of masonry panels subjected to lateral loading, improperly defined boundary conditions in FEA are the main source of error in the past numerical analysis. Using the corrector factors that are able to properly quantify the actual boundary effects and make appropriate revisions, more accurate analysis is achieved and the predicted response of masonry walls match with their experimental results very well.

This dissertation presents the results of testing to determine the load-slip characteristics of single-shear single lag screw connections subjected to monotonic lateral loading parallel to grain. Of particular importance was the comparison of experimental capacity and 5% offset yield load resistances to load resistances as predicted by the American Forest & Paper Association's (AF&PA) publication General Dowel Equations for Calculating Lateral Connection Values, Technical Report 12 (TR-12). Additionally some other tests were conducted, including fracture, tension strength perpendicular-to-grain, lag screw connection inking, dowel embedment, specific gravity and moisture content. The results for the testing program are presented. Four hundred and forty eight lateral tests were conducted on lag screw connections. Each connection was comprised of a 2 x 6 x 14 in. long wood main member, 1/4 in. thick steel side plate, and a single lag screw. The parameters of interest were specific gravity, lag screw diameter, and pilot hole diameter. Two species of wood, Douglas-fir and spruce-pine-fir, three lag screws diameters, and three pilot hole diameters for each species of wood were implemented. Models were developed to predict lag screw connection capacity and 5% offset yield and are contained herein. Models were based on results from connection and inking tests and mechanical analysis. Recommendation for ASD and LRFD design values were derived from connection test results for connections that used AF&PA's National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDSb) specified pilot holes. Using fracture mechanics results, work was performed to determine the effective load required to crack and separate fracture surfaces of wood main members due to the installation of lag screws with varying pilot hole diameters. / Ph. D.

Αντικείμενο του παρόντος άρθρου αποτελεί η ανάλυση της συμπεριφοράς πασσάλου, υπό αξονική φόρτιση μεγάλου εύρους, η οποία μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε απώλεια φέρουσας ικανότητας. Συγκεκριμένα, εξετάζεται ο συντελεστής στατικής δυσκαμψίας μεμονωμένου κατακόρυφου πασσάλου εμπεδωμένου σε ομοιογενές ή πολυστρωματικό έδαφος τυχαίας γεωμετρίας και μηχανικών ιδιοτήτων. Για την επίλυση του προβλήματος αναπτύσσεται αναλυτική λύση κλειστού τύπου βασισμένη στη θεωρία Winkler. Στο εν λόγω μοντέλο η προσομοίωση της μηχανικής συμπεριφοράς του εδάφους γίνεται μέσω μή-γραμμικών ελατηρίων “t-z” τοποθετημένων κατά μήκος του άξονα και στη βάση του πασσάλου, σε συνδυασμό με συναρτήσεις σχήματος, οι οποίες περιγράφουν αξιόπιστα την μεταβολή της κατακόρυφης μετακίνηση του πασσάλου με το βάθος. Με επιλογή κατάλληλης συνάρτησης σχήματος και καμπυλών “t-z”, και μετά από επαναληπτική διαδικασία εφαρμογής, επιτυγχάνεται ικανοποιητική ακρίβεια στην τιμή της δυσκαμψίας για κατακόρυφη μετακίνηση στην κεφαλή του πασσάλου. Σε αντίθεση με τις κλασικές αριθμητικές λύσεις, η προτεινόμενη μέθοδος δεν απαιτεί διακριτοποίηση του πασσάλου σε πεπερασμένα στοιχεία (και στη συνέχεια επίλυση ενός συστήματος γραμμικών εξισώσεων μεγάλης τάξης), παρά μόνο σε "κελιά" με στόχο την ολοκλήρωση με το βάθος. Έτσι, τα παραγόμενα αποτελέσματα είναι διαχείρισιμα ακόμα και μέσω απλού φύλλου εργασίας σε Excel ή και υπολογιστή τσέπης. Η μέθοδος προγραμματίστηκε σε περιβάλλον Visual Basic 2010, κυρίως λόγω της δυνατότητας γραφικής παρουσίασης των αποτελεσμάτων και τη σύγκρισή τους με αντίστοιχα αποτελέσματα από άλλες μεθόδους. Τα αποτελέσματα κρίνονται ως ιδιαίτερα ενθαρρυντικά, καθώς συγκλίνουν ικανοποιητικά σε αυτά αυστηρότερων μεθόδων, χωρίς ανάγκη περίπλοκης αριθμητικής ανάλυσης η οποία να ξεφεύγει από τις γνώσεις και δυνατότητες του Γεωτεχνικού Μηχανικού. / In the present work the behavior of a pile submitted to large range lateral loading is analyzed, which may lead to failure of both the surrounding soil and the pile itself either at the head or in depth. Namely, we examine the static stiffness coefficients for displacement and rotation of a flexible pile, vertically embedded in a homogeneous or multilayer soil of random geometry and mechanical properties. To solve the problem, a simple analytical method is developed, based on Euler–Bernoulli classic beam model, incremented with non linear Winkler Springs. The non-linear behaviour of the pile is described in a cross-sectional plane through moment-curvature diagram. The model is used in combination with the principle of work and suitable shape functions, which describe reliably the elastic line of the pile when the lateral load is gradually increasing. By iterative implementation of the method, realistic predictions are achieved in the stiffness coefficients in swaying, rocking and cross-swaying-rocking. The number of iterations is relatively small if the stress level of the system is not significantly increased compared with the previous load step. Unlike classic numerical solutions, the proposed method does not require discretization of the pile into finite elements (resulting to solve a system of linear equations), but only in "cells", to integrate with depth. In this way, results can be generated throughout a simple worksheet or even a calculator. The method was implemented in a Visual Basic 2010 environment, mainly for reasons of graphical presentation and comparison of the results to other coming from relevant methods. The results of the aforementioned method are considered satisfactory, as they converge fairly well with those coming from more rigorous methods based on complicated numerical analyses. The results of the herein proposed method are also compared to experimental in situ results relatively successfully.

In this study two dimensional steel frames, reinforced with un-stiffened thin steel panels, are investigated. In the first part of the study, the strip model, a method for analyzing un-stiffened thin steel plate shear walls, was investigated. Sensitivity studies to investigate the influence of the number of strip members to be used to in the strip model and their angle of inclination were conducted. In the second part, responses of various un-stiffened steel plate shear wall systems to lateral loads were investigated. The influences of three major parameters were studied. These are the beam-to-column connection type, the boundary frame stiffness and the plate slenderness ratio (the ratio of the centerline column spacing to the thickness of the plate). In both parts nonlinear pushover analysis were performed with SAP2000 structural analysis program. In this study, the history of development, theory and advantages of un-stiffened thin steel plate shear walls and recommendations for this lateral load resisting system are presented.

O presente trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um modelo de previsão de capacidade de carga de estacas, utilizadas em torres e postes de linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica, segundo esforços horizontais, considerando-se as parcelas coesiva e friccional dos solos, bem como um estudo relacionado à melhoria das propriedades do solo nas regiões mais solicitadas. Tal estudo está vinculado a um projeto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica – CEEE, em parceria com a Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, que visa estabelecer metodologias de capacidade de carga de fundações de linhas de transmissão sob condições distintas de carregamento. A análise do comportamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral foi baseada em simulações numéricas tridimensionais, através do método dos elementos finitos, utilizando-se o software ABAQUS. As simulações ocorreram após extensiva revisão bibliográfica acerca dos métodos de dimensionamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral, modelos constitutivos e propriedades geotécnicas de solos característicos do Rio Grande do Sul, em condições natural, compactada e cimentada. Nas simulações, foram levados em conta parâmetros geotécnicos que representassem os diferentes tipos de solos levantados, bem como a geometria da estaca e o mecanismo de ruptura apresentado mediante solicitação, identificados de acordo com os métodos apresentados. O modelo constitutivo adotado para a condução do programa de simulações foi o de Mohr-Coulomb, o qual foi testado e verificado a partir da simulação numérica de ensaios triaxiais e provas de carga de arrancamento em sapata e carregamento lateral em estaca. A partir dos resultados das simulações, foi realizada a análise da influência de cada parâmetro de entrada sobre a resposta do conjunto solo-estaca, em termos de carga horizontal atingida, deflexão da estaca e deformações do solo, para cada geometria. Os parâmetros que apresentaram maior influência foram coesão, módulo de Young e ângulo de atrito interno. A partir desta análise, para cada geometria estabeleceu-se uma lei de comportamento para estacas submetidas ao carregamento lateral, que relaciona a carga horizontal com um fator de parâmetros que agrega as variáveis mais influentes, contemplando as características coesivo-friccionais do solo. Quanto à geometria, observou-se que, em estacas mais curtas, ocorre a tendência ao giro do elemento estrutural, o qual apresenta menores regiões de concentração de tensões em relação às estacas mais longas, que tendem à formação de rótulas plásticas. A profundidade onde se encontram os maiores níveis de tensão na estaca não variou entre estacas longas de igual diâmetro, assim como a magnitude das tensões no conjunto, indicando que a partir de certa profundidade crítica (relacionada ao diâmetro da estaca e às propriedades geotécnicas do substrato) o aumento da profundidade da estaca é irrelevante. A análise de isovalores de tensão e deslocamentos do solo auxiliou na identificação da área de maior solicitação mediante carregamento horizontal, indicando as regiões onde deveria haver melhorias. O tratamento avaliado foi radial à estaca, tendo-se variado o seu diâmetro e sua profundidade, abrangendo a região mais solicitada. Os resultados demonstraram melhorias significativas mesmo com volumes de tratamento relativamente pequenos. A taxa de melhoria de resistência aumentou com o nível de deflexão relativa, sendo aparentemente função do volume de tratamento. / This paper shows the development of a prediction model of pile's loading capacity, used in towers and poles of electrical energy transmission, with horizontal loading, considering the cohesive and frictional portions of the ground, as well as a study regarding the improvement of the soil’s properties in the most requested areas. Such work is connected to a Research and Development Project of State Company of Electric Energy – CEEE, in partnership with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, with the objective of establishing methodologies of bearing capacity of transmission lines' foundations under different conditions of loading. The analysis of the behavior of piles under lateral loading was based on tridimensional numerical simulations, through the finite element method, being used the ABAQUS software for such calculations. The simulations took place after extensive search through literature regarding design methods of piles under lateral loading, constitutive models and geotechnical properties of soils considered typical in the RS, in natural conditions, compacted and cemented. During the simulations, geotechnical parameters that represent the different kinds of studied soils were taken into account, as well as the geometry of the pile and the rupture mechanism shown by request, identified according to the presented methods. The constitutive model adopted for the conclusion of the simulation program was the one by Mohr-Coulomb, which was tested and verified through the numerical simulation of triaxial tests, uplift load tests on shallow foundation and lateral loading tests on pile. As of the results taken from the simulations, the analysis of the influence of each key parameter on the soilstructure’s behavior took place, in terms of reached horizontal load, deflection of the pile and soil deformation, for each geometry. The parameters that presented more influence were the cohesion, Young’s module and friction angle. From this analysis, for each geometry it was established a behavior law for piles under lateral loading, that relates the horizontal loading with a parameters factor that adds the most influent variables, contemplating the cohesivefrictional characteristics of the soil. When regarding the geometry, it was observed that, in shorter piles there is a tendency to the foundation’s rotation, which presents smaller areas of stress concentration when compared to longer piles, which tend to the formation of yielding hinges. The depth in which the highest stress levels in the pile can be found didn’t vary amidst long piles of same diameter, as well as the magnitude of stresses on foundation system, indicating that from an established critic depth (related to the foundation’s diameter and to the geotechnical properties of the substrate) the increase in the pile’s depth is irrelevant. The analysis of contours of stress and displacements of the soil helped in the identification of the area of greatest request by horizontal loading, indicating the zones where improvements should be done. The treatment evaluated was around the pile, having its diameter and its depth varied, covering the most requested area. The results showed significant improvements even with relatively small improvement fill. The rate of improvement of resistance increased with the level of relative deflection, apparently being function of the treatment volume.

O presente trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um modelo de previsão de capacidade de carga de estacas, utilizadas em torres e postes de linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica, segundo esforços horizontais, considerando-se as parcelas coesiva e friccional dos solos, bem como um estudo relacionado à melhoria das propriedades do solo nas regiões mais solicitadas. Tal estudo está vinculado a um projeto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica – CEEE, em parceria com a Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, que visa estabelecer metodologias de capacidade de carga de fundações de linhas de transmissão sob condições distintas de carregamento. A análise do comportamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral foi baseada em simulações numéricas tridimensionais, através do método dos elementos finitos, utilizando-se o software ABAQUS. As simulações ocorreram após extensiva revisão bibliográfica acerca dos métodos de dimensionamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral, modelos constitutivos e propriedades geotécnicas de solos característicos do Rio Grande do Sul, em condições natural, compactada e cimentada. Nas simulações, foram levados em conta parâmetros geotécnicos que representassem os diferentes tipos de solos levantados, bem como a geometria da estaca e o mecanismo de ruptura apresentado mediante solicitação, identificados de acordo com os métodos apresentados. O modelo constitutivo adotado para a condução do programa de simulações foi o de Mohr-Coulomb, o qual foi testado e verificado a partir da simulação numérica de ensaios triaxiais e provas de carga de arrancamento em sapata e carregamento lateral em estaca. A partir dos resultados das simulações, foi realizada a análise da influência de cada parâmetro de entrada sobre a resposta do conjunto solo-estaca, em termos de carga horizontal atingida, deflexão da estaca e deformações do solo, para cada geometria. Os parâmetros que apresentaram maior influência foram coesão, módulo de Young e ângulo de atrito interno. A partir desta análise, para cada geometria estabeleceu-se uma lei de comportamento para estacas submetidas ao carregamento lateral, que relaciona a carga horizontal com um fator de parâmetros que agrega as variáveis mais influentes, contemplando as características coesivo-friccionais do solo. Quanto à geometria, observou-se que, em estacas mais curtas, ocorre a tendência ao giro do elemento estrutural, o qual apresenta menores regiões de concentração de tensões em relação às estacas mais longas, que tendem à formação de rótulas plásticas. A profundidade onde se encontram os maiores níveis de tensão na estaca não variou entre estacas longas de igual diâmetro, assim como a magnitude das tensões no conjunto, indicando que a partir de certa profundidade crítica (relacionada ao diâmetro da estaca e às propriedades geotécnicas do substrato) o aumento da profundidade da estaca é irrelevante. A análise de isovalores de tensão e deslocamentos do solo auxiliou na identificação da área de maior solicitação mediante carregamento horizontal, indicando as regiões onde deveria haver melhorias. O tratamento avaliado foi radial à estaca, tendo-se variado o seu diâmetro e sua profundidade, abrangendo a região mais solicitada. Os resultados demonstraram melhorias significativas mesmo com volumes de tratamento relativamente pequenos. A taxa de melhoria de resistência aumentou com o nível de deflexão relativa, sendo aparentemente função do volume de tratamento. / This paper shows the development of a prediction model of pile's loading capacity, used in towers and poles of electrical energy transmission, with horizontal loading, considering the cohesive and frictional portions of the ground, as well as a study regarding the improvement of the soil’s properties in the most requested areas. Such work is connected to a Research and Development Project of State Company of Electric Energy – CEEE, in partnership with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, with the objective of establishing methodologies of bearing capacity of transmission lines' foundations under different conditions of loading. The analysis of the behavior of piles under lateral loading was based on tridimensional numerical simulations, through the finite element method, being used the ABAQUS software for such calculations. The simulations took place after extensive search through literature regarding design methods of piles under lateral loading, constitutive models and geotechnical properties of soils considered typical in the RS, in natural conditions, compacted and cemented. During the simulations, geotechnical parameters that represent the different kinds of studied soils were taken into account, as well as the geometry of the pile and the rupture mechanism shown by request, identified according to the presented methods. The constitutive model adopted for the conclusion of the simulation program was the one by Mohr-Coulomb, which was tested and verified through the numerical simulation of triaxial tests, uplift load tests on shallow foundation and lateral loading tests on pile. As of the results taken from the simulations, the analysis of the influence of each key parameter on the soilstructure’s behavior took place, in terms of reached horizontal load, deflection of the pile and soil deformation, for each geometry. The parameters that presented more influence were the cohesion, Young’s module and friction angle. From this analysis, for each geometry it was established a behavior law for piles under lateral loading, that relates the horizontal loading with a parameters factor that adds the most influent variables, contemplating the cohesivefrictional characteristics of the soil. When regarding the geometry, it was observed that, in shorter piles there is a tendency to the foundation’s rotation, which presents smaller areas of stress concentration when compared to longer piles, which tend to the formation of yielding hinges. The depth in which the highest stress levels in the pile can be found didn’t vary amidst long piles of same diameter, as well as the magnitude of stresses on foundation system, indicating that from an established critic depth (related to the foundation’s diameter and to the geotechnical properties of the substrate) the increase in the pile’s depth is irrelevant. The analysis of contours of stress and displacements of the soil helped in the identification of the area of greatest request by horizontal loading, indicating the zones where improvements should be done. The treatment evaluated was around the pile, having its diameter and its depth varied, covering the most requested area. The results showed significant improvements even with relatively small improvement fill. The rate of improvement of resistance increased with the level of relative deflection, apparently being function of the treatment volume.

O presente trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um modelo de previsão de capacidade de carga de estacas, utilizadas em torres e postes de linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica, segundo esforços horizontais, considerando-se as parcelas coesiva e friccional dos solos, bem como um estudo relacionado à melhoria das propriedades do solo nas regiões mais solicitadas. Tal estudo está vinculado a um projeto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Companhia Estadual de Energia Elétrica – CEEE, em parceria com a Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, que visa estabelecer metodologias de capacidade de carga de fundações de linhas de transmissão sob condições distintas de carregamento. A análise do comportamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral foi baseada em simulações numéricas tridimensionais, através do método dos elementos finitos, utilizando-se o software ABAQUS. As simulações ocorreram após extensiva revisão bibliográfica acerca dos métodos de dimensionamento de estacas sob carregamento lateral, modelos constitutivos e propriedades geotécnicas de solos característicos do Rio Grande do Sul, em condições natural, compactada e cimentada. Nas simulações, foram levados em conta parâmetros geotécnicos que representassem os diferentes tipos de solos levantados, bem como a geometria da estaca e o mecanismo de ruptura apresentado mediante solicitação, identificados de acordo com os métodos apresentados. O modelo constitutivo adotado para a condução do programa de simulações foi o de Mohr-Coulomb, o qual foi testado e verificado a partir da simulação numérica de ensaios triaxiais e provas de carga de arrancamento em sapata e carregamento lateral em estaca. A partir dos resultados das simulações, foi realizada a análise da influência de cada parâmetro de entrada sobre a resposta do conjunto solo-estaca, em termos de carga horizontal atingida, deflexão da estaca e deformações do solo, para cada geometria. Os parâmetros que apresentaram maior influência foram coesão, módulo de Young e ângulo de atrito interno. A partir desta análise, para cada geometria estabeleceu-se uma lei de comportamento para estacas submetidas ao carregamento lateral, que relaciona a carga horizontal com um fator de parâmetros que agrega as variáveis mais influentes, contemplando as características coesivo-friccionais do solo. Quanto à geometria, observou-se que, em estacas mais curtas, ocorre a tendência ao giro do elemento estrutural, o qual apresenta menores regiões de concentração de tensões em relação às estacas mais longas, que tendem à formação de rótulas plásticas. A profundidade onde se encontram os maiores níveis de tensão na estaca não variou entre estacas longas de igual diâmetro, assim como a magnitude das tensões no conjunto, indicando que a partir de certa profundidade crítica (relacionada ao diâmetro da estaca e às propriedades geotécnicas do substrato) o aumento da profundidade da estaca é irrelevante. A análise de isovalores de tensão e deslocamentos do solo auxiliou na identificação da área de maior solicitação mediante carregamento horizontal, indicando as regiões onde deveria haver melhorias. O tratamento avaliado foi radial à estaca, tendo-se variado o seu diâmetro e sua profundidade, abrangendo a região mais solicitada. Os resultados demonstraram melhorias significativas mesmo com volumes de tratamento relativamente pequenos. A taxa de melhoria de resistência aumentou com o nível de deflexão relativa, sendo aparentemente função do volume de tratamento. / This paper shows the development of a prediction model of pile's loading capacity, used in towers and poles of electrical energy transmission, with horizontal loading, considering the cohesive and frictional portions of the ground, as well as a study regarding the improvement of the soil’s properties in the most requested areas. Such work is connected to a Research and Development Project of State Company of Electric Energy – CEEE, in partnership with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS, with the objective of establishing methodologies of bearing capacity of transmission lines' foundations under different conditions of loading. The analysis of the behavior of piles under lateral loading was based on tridimensional numerical simulations, through the finite element method, being used the ABAQUS software for such calculations. The simulations took place after extensive search through literature regarding design methods of piles under lateral loading, constitutive models and geotechnical properties of soils considered typical in the RS, in natural conditions, compacted and cemented. During the simulations, geotechnical parameters that represent the different kinds of studied soils were taken into account, as well as the geometry of the pile and the rupture mechanism shown by request, identified according to the presented methods. The constitutive model adopted for the conclusion of the simulation program was the one by Mohr-Coulomb, which was tested and verified through the numerical simulation of triaxial tests, uplift load tests on shallow foundation and lateral loading tests on pile. As of the results taken from the simulations, the analysis of the influence of each key parameter on the soilstructure’s behavior took place, in terms of reached horizontal load, deflection of the pile and soil deformation, for each geometry. The parameters that presented more influence were the cohesion, Young’s module and friction angle. From this analysis, for each geometry it was established a behavior law for piles under lateral loading, that relates the horizontal loading with a parameters factor that adds the most influent variables, contemplating the cohesivefrictional characteristics of the soil. When regarding the geometry, it was observed that, in shorter piles there is a tendency to the foundation’s rotation, which presents smaller areas of stress concentration when compared to longer piles, which tend to the formation of yielding hinges. The depth in which the highest stress levels in the pile can be found didn’t vary amidst long piles of same diameter, as well as the magnitude of stresses on foundation system, indicating that from an established critic depth (related to the foundation’s diameter and to the geotechnical properties of the substrate) the increase in the pile’s depth is irrelevant. The analysis of contours of stress and displacements of the soil helped in the identification of the area of greatest request by horizontal loading, indicating the zones where improvements should be done. The treatment evaluated was around the pile, having its diameter and its depth varied, covering the most requested area. The results showed significant improvements even with relatively small improvement fill. The rate of improvement of resistance increased with the level of relative deflection, apparently being function of the treatment volume.