Negative skin friction on a pile occurs when:
Choose the correct answer
Pile is loaded beyond capacity
Surrounding soil settles more than the pile (drag-down force on pile shaft)
Pile is in tension
Groundwater rises
Correct Answer
B. Surrounding soil settles more than the pile (drag-down force on pile shaft)
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Negative skin friction (NSF): downward drag force on pile shaft when surrounding soil settles more than the pile. Causes: soft clay layer above stiff stratum consolidating under fill weight. NSF adds to structural load (treated as additional load). Prevented by: coating pile with bitumen (slip layer) or using sheet pile protection.
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