DFI Journal - The Journal of the Deep Foundations Institute
Volume 19, Issue 1, April 2025
DOI: 10.37308/DFIJnl.20240510.309
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Revisiting Mansur and Kaufman (1956): Pile Tests, Low Sill Structure, Old River, Louisianna
Article Type: Case Study
Bengt H. Fellenius
Abstract
Static pile loading tests were conducted in the 1950s and 1960s as part of efforts to improve infrastructure along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The resulting test reports led to several influential papers published in ASCE journals and conferences, which became foundational references in the development of pile analysis and design practices. Mansur and Kaufmann (1956) documented one of the earliest test series to incorporate instrumentation for measuring strain along the pile under applied loads, allowing for interpretation of axial force distribution and differentiation between shaft and toe resistances. Their paper continues to offer valuable insights for modern practice. To that end, selected test results have been digitized and reanalyzed to illustrate the early understanding of load transfer mechanisms and to contextualize their work in light of concepts not yet recognized at the time—such as residual force, the importance of accurately separating shaft and toe responses, and the application of effective stress conditions. Notably, pile group behavior was not addressed in these early studies.