Análise do comportamento de estacas metálicas em fundações de edifícios altos no Brasil: comparativo de casos

Abstract

With the rapid growth of vertical constructions in Brazil, especially in major urban centers, the choice of foundation type has become an increasingly strategic factor in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and feasibility of buildings. In this context, this study focuses on the analysis of the use of steel piles with a decreasing cross-section along their depth an alternative that, although not new, has been gaining ground due to its technical advantages, such as good drivability, reduced vibration during installation, and ease of adaptation to different soil conditions. The study is based on three construction cases documented in the technical literature by Almeida (2013) and Amorim (2024), aiming to understand structural performance, soil adaptation, economic feasibility, and execution challenges encountered during the course of the projects. Among the aspects analyzed, the load-bearing capacity of the piles, installation methods, strength gains over time (set-up effect), and the importance of adapting the design to the geotechnical conditions found are highlighted. The results showed that, when well planned and executed, steel piles with variable cross-sections can not only meet the technical requirements of projects but also lead to material savings, especially in terms of steel consumption. Despite the positive results, the study also faced some limitations - mainly due to the lack of more in-depth data in the literature and the absence of practical tests that could complement the analysis.Nonetheless, this work seeks to contribute to the understanding of the behavior of these piles and reinforces that their use can be a viable solution in different civil construction scenarios. Therefore, it is concluded that the adoption of steel piles with a decreasing cross-section can be an efficient and promising alternative, provided there is proper planning, strict execution control, and monitoring of soil conditions.