Response of a scale-model pile group for a jacket foundation of an offshore wind turbine in liquefiable ground during shaking table tests

To investigate the seismic response of a pile group during liquefaction, shaking table tests on a 1/25 scale model of a 2 × 2 pile group were conducted, which were pilot tests of a test project of a scale-model offshore wind turbine with jacket foundation. A large laminar shear box was utilized as the soil container to prepare a liquefiable sandy ground specimen. The pile group model comprising four slender aluminum piles with their pile heads connected by a rigid frame was designed with similitude considerations focusing on soil–pile interaction. The input motions were 2-Hz sinusoids with various acceleration amplitudes. The excess pore water pressure generation indicated that the upper half of the ground specimen reached initial liquefaction under the 50-gal-amplitude excitation, whereas in the 75-gal-amplitude test, almost entire ground was liquefied. Accelerations in soil, on the movable frames composing the laminar boundary of the shear box, and along the pile showed limited difference at the same elevation before liquefaction. After liquefaction, the soil and the movable-frame accelerations that represented the ground response considerably reduced, whereas both the movable frames and the piles exhibited high-frequency jitters other than 2-Hz sinusoid, and meantime, remarkable phase difference between the responses of the pile group and the ground was observed, all probably due to the substantial degradation of liquefied soil. Axial strains along the pile implied its double-curvature bending behavior, and the accordingly calculated moment declined significantly after liquefaction. These observations demonstrated the interaction between soil and piles during liquefaction.     

Experimental p-y curves for liquefied soils from centrifuge tests

The present study aims to obtain p-y curves(Winkler spring properties for lateral pile-soil interaction) for liquefied soil from 12 comprehensive centrifuge test cases where pile groups were embedded in liquefiable soil. The p-y curve for fully liquefied soil is back-calculated from the dynamic centrifuge test data using a numerical procedure from the recorded soil response and strain records from the instrumented pile. The p-y curves were obtained for two ground conditions:(a) lateral spreading of liquefied soil, and(b) liquefied soil in level ground. These ground conditions are simulated in the model by having collapsing and non-collapsing intermittent boundaries, which are modelled as quay walls. The p-y curves back-calculated from the centrifuge tests are compared with representative reduced API p-y curves for liquefied soils(known as p-multiplier). The response of p-y curves at full liquefaction is presented and critical observations of lateral pile-soil interaction are discussed. Based on the results of these model tests, guidance for the construction of p-y curves for use in engineering practice is also provided.     

基于动力BNWF法的冻土-桩相互作用模型研究

基于水平循环荷载作用下不同负温冻土环境中单桩动力特性模型试验结果,在已有分析桩-土-结构相互作用的动力BNWF模型的基础上,提出改进的冻土-桩基动力相互作用非线性反应分析模型。在该模型中,利用改进的双向无拉力多段屈服弹簧考虑桩侧冻土的水平非线性力学特性,同时兼顾桩侧与冻土间的竖向非线性摩擦效应、桩尖土的挤压与分离作用以及远场土体阻尼对桩基动力特性的影响。其中桩侧水平多段屈服弹簧参数根据冻土非线性p-y关系获得,该关系曲线以三次函数曲线段及常值函数段共同模拟,并由室内冻土压缩试验结果确定。最后基于改进的动力BNWF模型,提取动位移荷载作用下该桩顶力-位移滞回曲线及桩身不同埋深处的弯矩动响应数值分析结果,并与相应的模型试验结果对比,二者具有较好的拟合度,表明本文所提出的改进模型在分析冻土-桩动力相互作用时有较好的适用性。     

基于OpenSees的桩-土-桥墩相互作用非线性数值分析模型

基于OpenSees数值分析平台,建立了群桩-土-桥墩非线性数值分析模型。模型中桩-土水平向相互作用和桩-土竖向相互作用、桩底-土竖向相互作用分别通过p-y、t-z与q-z零长度弹簧单元模拟。模型中同时考虑了群桩效应与纵筋在墩底的应变渗透和粘结滑移的影响。结合群桩基础拟静力试验结果,对数值模型的准确性进行了验证,在此基础上对土体参数特性对桩基滞回性能的影响规律进行了分析。结果表明:所建立的数值分析模型可对群桩基础滞回曲线和骨架曲线进行较为准确的模拟分析,验证了模型的可靠性。反复荷载作用下,前桩处土体的反应明显大于中桩处;土体由软黏土变为硬黏土时,墩顶侧向承载力与刚度显著增加,但土体的非线性反应减弱。     

地震作用下液化场地变截面桩与等截面桩的动力响应对比分析

为研究液化场地变截面桩的动力响应,依托翔安大桥实体工程,采用有限元软件,建立变截面桩－土和等截面桩－土相互作用模型,模拟液化场地变截面桩及等截面桩在地震作用下的振动反应,分析在地震作用下变截面位置不同的变截面桩及等截面桩的动力响应特征。结果表明:地震作用下,液化土层不同深度处的孔压比变化规律基本相同,均从0逐渐增大最后趋于稳定;变截面桩的桩身加速度和桩身位移均大于等截面桩,且桩顶加速度峰值出现的时刻均滞后于桩底;在饱和砂土层处,桩身位移变化趋势均较陡;变截面桩的桩身弯矩峰值和桩身剪力峰值均大于等截面桩,且其峰值出现的位置较等截面桩深;地震作用下,变截面桩及等截面桩的弯矩与剪力均在安全范围之内;液化场地变截面梁桥桩基础抗震设计时,应着重分析液化土层与非液化土层分界面以下的抗弯能力设计及液化土层中抗剪能力设计。     

Nonlinear lateral interaction in pile dynamics

A model for pile lateral response to transient dynamic loading and to harmonic loading is presented allowing for nonlinear soil behaviour, discontinuity conditions at the pile-soil interface and energy dissipation through different types of damping. The approach is used to establish equivalent linear stiffness and damping parameters of single piles as well as dynamic interaction factors for approximate nonlinear analysis of pile groups. The applicability of these parameters to the pile-group analysis was examined, and a reasonable agreement with the direct analysis was found. The superposition technique may be used to analyze the response of small pile groups. Also, the dynamic stiffness of pile groups is greatly affected by both the nonlinear behavior of the soil and the slippage and gapping between the pile and soil. For a basic range of soil and pile parameters, equivalent linear stiffness and damping parameters of single piles and interaction factors for approximate nonlinear analysis are provided.     

可液化倾斜场地中桩基动力响应振动台试验研究

为研究倾斜场地中桩基的动力响应,以2011年新西兰地震中受损的Dallington桥为原型,设计并完成可液化倾斜场地桥梁桩-土相互作用的振动台模型试验。试验再现了喷砂、冒水、地裂缝、场地流滑等宏观现象。试验结果表明,土层足够的液化势及惯性是造成倾斜场地侧向流滑的必要条件;浅层土相比深层土更易液化,液化层中的加速度由下至上呈现逐渐衰减的趋势,而未液化砂土层却表现为逐渐增大的特征;深部测点的桩侧土压力明显大于浅部测点,且土体的液化会弱化土对结构的压力;结构应变最大值位于上部桥台,而结构弯矩在桩身中部及土层分界面附近出现两个较大值,桩端嵌固及倾斜场地流滑是造成出现两个弯矩较大值的主要原因。     

Evaluation of seismic performance of pile‐supported models in liquefiable soils

The seismic performance of four pile‐supported models is studied for two conditions: (i) transient to full liquefaction condition, i.e. the phase when excess pore pressure gradually increases during the shaking; (ii) full liquefaction condition, i.e. defined as the state where the seismically induced excess pore pressure equalises to the overburden stress. The paper describes two complementary analyses consisting of an experimental investigation, carried out at normal gravity on a shaking table, and a simplified numerical analysis, whereby the soil–structure interaction (SSI) is modelled through non‐linear Winkler springs (commonly known as p–y curves). The effects of liquefaction on the SSI are taken into account by reducing strength and stiffness of the non‐liquefied p–y curves by a factor widely known as p‐multiplier and by using a new set of p–y curves. The seismic performance of each of the four models is evaluated by considering two different criteria: (i) strength criterion expressed in terms of bending moment envelopes along the piles; (ii) damage criterion expressed in terms of maximum global displacement. Comparison between experimental results and numerical predictions shows that the proposed p–y curves have the advantage of better predicting the redistribution of bending moments at deeper elevations as the soil liquefies. Furthermore, the proposed method predicts with reasonable accuracy the displacement demand exhibited by the models at the full liquefaction condition. However, disparities between computed and experimental maximum bending moments (in both transient and full liquefaction conditions) and displacement demands (during transient to liquefaction condition) highlight the need for further studies. Copyright © 2016 The Authors Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Kinematic response of single piles to vertically incident P‐waves

Dynamic response of single piles to seismic waves is fundamentally different from the free‐field motion because of the interaction between the pile and the surrounding soil. Considering soil–pile interaction, this paper presents a new displacement model for the steady‐state kinematic response of single piles to vertically incident P‐waves on the basis of a continuum model. The governing equations and boundary conditions of the two undetermined functions in the model are obtained to be coupled by using Hamilton's principle. Then, the two unknown functions are decoupled and solved by an iterative algorithm numerically. A parametric study is performed to investigate the effects of the properties of the soil–pile system on the kinematic response of single piles. It is shown that the effects of the pile–soil modulus ratio, the slenderness ratio of the pile, and the frequency of the incident excitations are very significant. By contrast, the influence of soil damping on the kinematics of the system is slight and can be neglected. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of a RC pile group in liquefiable soil: A shake-table investigation

Soil liquefaction induced by earthquakes frequently cause costly damage to pile foundations. However, various aspects of the dynamic behavior and failure mechanisms of piles in liquefiable soils still remain unclear. This paper presents a shake-table experiment conducted to investigate the dynamic behavior of a reinforced-concrete (RC) elevated cap pile foundation during (and prior to) soil liquefaction. Particular attention was paid to the failure mechanism of the piles during a strong shaking event. The experimental results indicate that decreasing the frequency and increasing the amplitude of earthquake excitation increased the pile bending moment as well as the speed of the excess pore pressure buildup in the free-field. The critical pile failure mode in the conducted testing configuration was found to be of the bending type, which was also confirmed by a representative nonlinear numerical model of the RC pile. The experimental results of this study can be used to calibrate numerical models and provide insights on seismic pile analysis and design.     

Model tests on horizontal pile-to-pile interaction incorporating local non-linearity and resonance effects

Dynamic experimental studies on horizontal interaction factors for laterally loaded model soil–pile systems subjected to low-to-high amplitude pile head loading are reported, focusing on the effect of dynamics and local non-linearity. Results obtained from dynamic experiments with different amplitudes of harmonic lateral loading on instrumented model soil–pile systems conducted on a shaking table indicate that the resonance of soil–pile system shows a profound impact on the horizontal interaction factors. Furthermore, behavior of the soil–pile system becomes highly non-linear with increasing amplitude of loading, as the extent of local non-linearity around the pile increases. Consequently, group effects cannot be predicted by using established approximate equations based on the assumption of linear viscoelastic behavior. To this end, new semi-empirical equations are proposed for obtaining the horizontal interaction factors, as an extension of available approximate equations to incorporate the local non-linear behavior of soil–pile system for both small and large pile spacings.     

桩-液化土相互作用p-y关系分析

基于多工况的桩-液化土体动力相互作用振动台试验,研究地震荷载作用下液化土层中桩土间侧向相互作用力p与桩身和土体间侧向相对位移y之间的关系。将试验得到的实际p-y曲线与采用拟静力法和以API规范为基础的折减系数法计算出的p-y曲线进行对比,结果表明:(1)液化土层中试验得到的桩真实p-y响应及由拟静力法和折减系数法得到的结果都呈非线性变化,三者极限状态有接近一致的趋势,但变化过程差异明显;(2)采用拟静力法和折减系数法都会使液化土层桩基础侧向反力迅速增长,很快达到屈服极限,远远超过实际情况,会导致相当保守的结果;(3)液化进程中控制桩p-y响应的是土体位移而非惯性力,因而拟静力法和折减系数法的原理不适合桩-液化土体动力相互作用分析,不能用于液化土层中桩基础地震响应的计算。     

Seismic soil–structure interaction in multi‐span bridges: Application to a railway bridge

The effects of soil‐structure interaction on the seismic response of multi‐span bridges are investigated by means of a modelling strategy based on the domain decomposition technique. First, the analysis methodology is presented: kinematic interaction analysis is performed in the frequency domain by means of a procedure accounting for radiation damping, soil–pile and pile‐to‐pile interaction; the seismic response of the superstructure is evaluated in the time domain by means of user‐friendly finite element programs introducing suitable lumped parameter models take into account the frequency‐dependent impedances of the soil–foundation system. Second, a real multi‐span railway bridge longitudinally restrained at one abutment is analyzed. The input motion is represented by two sets of real accelerograms: one consistent with the Italian seismic code and the other constituted by five records characterized by different frequency contents. The seismic response of the compliant‐base model is compared with that obtained from a fixed‐base model. Pile stress resultants due to kinematic and inertial interactions are also evaluated. The application demonstrates the importance of performing a comprehensive analysis of the soil–foundation–structure system in the design process, in order to capture the effects of soil‐structure interaction in each structural element that may be beneficial or detrimental. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical simulations of shake-table experiment for dynamic soil-pile-structure interaction in liquefiable soils

A shake-table experiment on pile foundations in liquefi able soils composed of liquefi able sand and overlying soft clay is studied. A three-dimensional(3D) effective stress fi nite element(FE) analysis is employed to simulate the experiment. A recently developed multi-surface elasto-plastic constitutive model and a fully coupled dynamic inelastic FE formulation(u-p) are used to model the liquefaction behavior of the sand. The soil domains are discretized using a solid-fl uid fully coupled(u-p) 20-8 noded brick element. The pile is simulated using beam-column elements. Upon careful calibration, very good agreement is obtained between the computed and the measured dynamic behavior of the ground and the pile. A parametric analysis is also conducted on the model to investigate the effect of pile-pinning, pile diameter, pile stiffness, ground inclination angle, superstructure mass and pile head restraints on the ground improvement. It is found that the pile foundation has a noticeable pinning effect that reduces the lateral soil displacement. It is observed that a larger pile diameter and fi xed pile head restraints contribute to decreasing the lateral pile deformation; however, a higher ground inclination angle tends to increase the lateral pile head displacements and pile stiffness, and superstructure mass seems to effectively infl uence the lateral pile displacements.     

Research on Dynamic Interaction Characteristics of Soil-pile-steel Frame Structure

利用振动台模型试验和有限元数值模拟的方法对土质地基-群桩-钢框架结构体系动力相互作用的规律和特征进行研究,并讨论了基桩长径比对于体系动力相互作用特征的影响。试验地基土体模型为均匀粉质黏土,剪切波速约为213 m/s;群桩基础由9根长2.0 m、直径0.1 m的基桩3×3对称布置;上部结构模型简化为三层钢框架结构。本文研究结果表明:土-桩-钢框架结构体系的阻尼比相较固定基础情形有所增加,输入相同地震动时其地震反应小于固定基础情形;动力相互作用体系中运动相互作用的贡献与惯性相互作用相当,不应忽略;随着基桩长径比的增大,运动相互作用增大,钢框架结构的加速度反应增大。     

A simplified model for lateral response of large diameter caisson foundations—Linear elastic formulation

The transient response of large embedded foundation elements of length-to-diameter aspect ratio D/B=2–6 is characterized by a complex stress distribution at the pier–soil interface that cannot be adequately represented by means of existing models for shallow foundations or flexible piles. On the other hand, while three-dimensional (3D) numerical solutions are feasible, they are infrequently employed in practice due to their associated cost and effort. Prompted by the scarcity of simplified models for design in current practice, we here develop an analytical model that accounts for the multitude of soil resistance mechanisms mobilized at their base and circumference, while retaining the advantages of simplified methodologies for the design of non-critical facilities. The characteristics of soil resistance mechanisms and corresponding complex spring functions are developed on the basis of finite element simulations, by equating the stiffness matrix terms and/or overall numerically computed response to the analytical expressions derived by means of the proposed Winkler model. Sensitivity analyses are performed for the optimization of the truncated numerical domain size, the optimal finite element size and the far-field dynamic boundary conditions to avoid spurious wave reflections. Numerical simulations of the transient system response to vertically propagating shear waves are next successfully compared to the analytically predicted response. Finally, the applicability of the method is assessed for soil profiles with depth-varying properties. The formulation of frequency-dependent complex spring functions including material damping is also described, while extension of the methodology to account for nonlinear soil behavior and soil–foundation interface separation is described in the conclusion and is being currently investigated.     

Numerical modeling of centrifuge cyclic lateral pile load experiments

To gain insight into the inelastic behavior of piles, the response of a vertical pile embedded in dry sand and subjected to cyclic lateral loading was studied experimentally in centrifuge tests conducted in Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées. Three types of cyclic loading were applied, two asymmetric and one symmetric with respect to the unloaded pile. An approximately square-root variation of soil stiffness with depth was obtained from indirect in-flight density measurements, laboratory tests on re...     

PCC桩水平承载特性足尺模型试验与数值模拟

通过进行大型模型槽足尺模型试验,根据桩身变形和柱身弯矩的试验结果,分析了水平荷载作用下现浇混凝土大直径管桩（以下简称PCC桩）的水平承栽特性和桩-土共同作用性状。采用大型通用有限元软件ABAQUS对PCC桩的水平承载特性进行了数值模拟,计算结果与试验结果符合得较好,并进一步探讨了PCC桩水平承载特性的主要影响因素。结果表明：表层土体的弹性模量对水平受力性状影响较大,表层土体的厚度对桩身水平位移也有较大影响,因此可以通过改良表层土体来控制桩身水平位移,以达到工程设计要求;土体强度参数对水平承载特性也有影响,尤其是内摩擦角和粘聚力较小时更为明显。     

液化场地桩-土-桥梁结构动力相互作用振动台试验研究进展

本文在全面归纳与总结液化场地桩－土－桥梁结构动力相互作用振动台试验及与之相关领域的国内外研究进展基础上，直接针对我国桥梁工程中的主要震害问题，提出在我国开展液化场地桩－土－桥梁结构动力相互作用振动台试验研究的必要性，并阐述作者对液化场地桩－土－张桥梁结构动力相互作用振动台试验中若干问题的认识。     

A Study of Piles during Earthquakes: Issues of Design and Analysis

The seismic response of pile foundations is a very complex process involving inertial interaction between structure and pile foundation, kinematic interaction between piles and soils, seismically induced pore-water pressures (PWP) and the non-linear response of soils to strong earthquake motions. In contrast, very simple pseudo-static methods are used in engineering practice to determine response parameters for design. These methods neglect several of the factors cited above that can strongly affect pile response. Also soil–pile interaction is modelled using either linear or non-linear springs in a Winkler computational model for pile response. The reliability of this constitutive model has been questioned. In the case of pile groups, the Winkler model for analysis of a single pile is adjusted in various ways by empirical factors to yield a computational model for group response. Can the results of such a simplified analysis be adequate for design in all situations?The lecture will present a critical evaluation of general engineering practice for estimating the response of pile foundations in liquefiable and non-liquefiable soils during earthquakes. The evaluation is part of a major research study on the seismic design of pile foundations sponsored by a Japanese construction company with interests in performance based design and the seismic response of piles in reclaimed land. The evaluation of practice is based on results from field tests, centrifuge tests on model piles and comprehensive non-linear dynamic analyses of pile foundations consisting of both single piles and pile groups. Studies of particular aspects of pile–soil interaction were made. Piles in layered liquefiable soils were analysed in detail as case histories show that these conditions increase the seismic demand on pile foundations. These studies demonstrate the importance of kinematic interaction, usually neglected in simple pseudo-static methods. Recent developments in designing piles to resist lateral spreading of the ground after liquefaction are presented. A comprehensive study of the evaluation of pile cap stiffness coefficients was undertaken and a reliable method of selecting the single value stiffnesses demanded by mainstream commercial structural software was developed. Some other important findings from the study are: the relative effects of inertial and kinematic interactions between foundation and soil on acceleration and displacement spectra of the super-structure; a method for estimating whether inertial interaction is likely to be important or not in a given situation and so when a structure may be treated as a fixed based structure for estimating inertial loads; the occurrence of large kinematic moments when a liquefied layer or naturally occurring soft layer is sandwiched between two hard layers; and the role of rotational stiffness in controlling pile head displacements, especially in liquefiable soils. The lecture concludes with some recommendations for practice that recognize that design, especially preliminary design, will always be based on simplified procedures.