Transfer matrix approach for nonlinear pile group response analysis

A transfer matrix method is applied for the analysis of non-linear pile group responses. The expression for the transfer matrix is obtained by idealizing the non-linear pile group as a group of piles attached to a piecewise linear “Winkler model for a pile group”. This Winkler idealization is essential to apply a transfer matrix method for the pile group response analysis. The parameters of this Winkler model can be defined from unit load transfer curves obtained for a single pile. In the limited studies carried out, it is found that the present approach predicts the response of pile groups reasonably well.     

Uncoupled analysis of stabilizing piles in weathered slopes

This paper describes a simplified numerical approach for analyzing the slope/pile system subjected to lateral soil movements. The lateral one-row pile response above and below the critical surface is computed by using load transfer approach. The response of groups was analyzed by developing interaction factors obtained from a three-dimensional nonlinear finite element study. An uncoupled analysis was performed for stabilizing piles in slope in which the pile response and slope stability are considered separately. The non-linear characteristics of the soil–pile interaction in the stabilizing piles are modeled by hyperbolic load transfer curves. The Bishop's simplified method of slope stability analysis is extended to incorporate the soil-pile interaction and evaluate the safety factor of the reinforced slope. Numerical study is performed to illustrate the major influencing parameters on the pile-slope stability problem. Through comparative studies, it has been found that the factor of safety in slope is much more conservative for an uncoupled analysis than for a coupled analysis based on three-dimensional finite element analysis.     

Effect of non-linear soil deformation on the interaction among energy piles

This study investigates the effect of non-linear soil deformation on the displacement interaction among energy piles. The work is based on interaction factor analyses of full-scale pile group tests, whose results are compared with experimental evidence. The results presented highlight the tendency of interaction factor analyses that ignore non-linear soil deformation to overestimate the interaction and the displacement of energy pile groups. This outcome, in accordance with previous studies for conventional pile groups subjected to mechanical loads, may be considered in the analysis and design of energy pile groups subjected to thermal (and mechanical) loads through the interaction factor method.     

Discrete layer analysis of axially loaded piles and pile groups

This paper presents a simple discrete layer approach for the settlement analysis of axially loaded piles and pile groups. The soil profile may be arbitrarily layered and underlain by either a stiff or rigid stratum. The pile-soil-pile interaction is determined using a modified form of Mindlin's solution for finite soil depth. Good agreement between the present approach and more rigorous finite element and boundary element approaches is observed for the analysis of piles and pile groups embedded in finite soil layers. Settlement predictions obtained from the present approach also agree reasonably well with measurements from a number of published pile tests. Although the emphasis of this paper is on linear elastic solutions, it can easily be extended to include non-linear response.     

Selection of p–y curves for the design of single laterally loaded piles

Two-dimensional finite element analysis has been used to find load–transfer relationships for translation of an infinitely long pile through undrained soil for a variety of soil-constitutive models. It has been shown that these load–transfer curves can be used as p–y curves in the analysis of single piles undergoing lateral pile head loading in undrained soils with non-linear stress–strain laws. Lateral pile response deduced from 2-D analysis input to the subgrade reaction method has been compared to the behaviour of a single pile analysed using three-dimensional finite element analysis. Good agreement between the two methods for non-linear soils suggests that the 2-D analysis may form a useful design method for calculation of p–y curves. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Three-dimensional analysis of a pile-group foundation

A non-linear three-dimensional finite element procedur is developed and applied for the analysis of pile group foundations. The numerical procedure allows for elastic, non-linear elastic and elastic-plastic hardening behaviour of sand. In order to include the interaction effects involving relative slip and debonding, the thin-layer interface element is used. The predictions for displacements and loads obtained from the numerical procedure are compared with laboratory model test results of a pile group. Displacements, stresses and forces distribution in various components of the pile group are also examined. Furthermore, the effects of the non-linear soil response and relative motions at the interface are indentified and discussed.     

A method for the analysis of large vertically loaded pile groups

An iterative method is described for the analysis of vertically loaded pile groups with a large number of vertical piles. The individual pile response is modelled using load-transfer (t–z) curves while pile–soil–pile interaction is determined using Mindlin's solution. The present method not only keeps all the advantages of the so-called ‘hybrid method’, but also makes it possible for practising engineers to solve problems of large non-uniformly arranged pile groups in a time-saving way using a personal computer. Good agreement between the present method of analysis and the direct method is observed. A case history is analysed and the computed response of a large pile group compares favourably with the field measurement. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Response of pile groups subjected to lateral loads

An approach is presented for the prediction of linear and nonlinear load–deformation behaviour of laterally loaded pile groups. The individual pile response is obtained by the conventional p–y curve technique, while group interaction is modelled using the Mindlin's solution. Good agreement is observed when comparing the present method of analysis with the commonly used interaction factor approach for the computation of response of pile groups embedded in a homogenous, isotropic elastic half-space. The predicted pile group behaviour also compares favourably with existing field data on laterally loaded pile groups in soft clay.     

Probabilistic analysis of load-settlement response from pile load tests

The evaluation of variability in ultimate pile capacity from the load-settlement data is useful in the context of code calibration and reliability based design in pile foundations. This paper examines the applicability of two non-linear analytical methods to calculate the load-settlement response of piles using actual test data in terms of percentage deviation from the measured capacity. The degree of agreement associated with each method with respect to field test data is quantified using two different failure criteria (FHWA and Eurocode) for determination of the ultimate load of pile. The analytical methods are used to quantify the variability associated with the soil-pile interface parameters and ultimate capacity using Monte Carlo simulations, which is useful in load-resistance factored/reliability design of pile foundations. Study reveals that variability depends on the method of analysis, percent deviation of prediction from measured values and failure criteria.     

Seismic Response Analysis of Pile Foundations

A quasi-3D continuum method is presented for the dynamic nonlinear effective stress analysis of pile foundation under earthquake excitation. The method was validated using data from centrifuge tests on single piles and pile groups in liquefiable soils conducted at the University of California at Davis. Some results from this validation studies are presented. The API approach to pile response using p–y curves was evaluated using the quasi-3D method and the results from simulated earthquake tests on a model pile in a centrifuge. The recommended API stiffnesses appear to be much too high for seismic response analysis under strong shaking, but give very good estimates of elastic response.     

水平荷载作用下单桩非线性m法试验研究

通过对大量模型试验结果的分析，提出了简便合理的水平荷载作用下单桩的计算方法。该方法将常用m法中单一m值与位移建立指数关系，并由bm有k两参数来描述。将这一关系引和常用单桩m法计算中，则计算结果可考虑单桩非线性响应影响。     

嵌岩抗拔桩承载性状研究

嵌岩桩抗拔承载性状的研究目前仍较缺乏。运用灰色系统理论和非线性有限元方法,探讨了桩径、桩长、嵌岩深度对嵌岩桩抗拔承载眭状的影响规律。结果表明：桩径对嵌岩桩抗拔承载力的影响最大,嵌岩深度次之,桩长最小;桩径和嵌岩深度在一定范围内与桩抗拔割线刚度呈非线性递增关系,桩长则与之呈非线性递减关系。     

Piles under axial and torsional loads

An analysis of axially and torsionally loaded piles is presented in which the pile is treated as an elastic bar supported on two series of interacting non-linear axial and torsional springs. The characteristics of these springs depend on the soil properties and the diameter of the pile as well as on the interaction between the axial and torsional response. Predicted pile responses are compared to the results of model tests conducted on piles installed in a soft clay bed and loaded with combined axial and torsional loads. Both experimental results and theoretical predictions show that a torque applied to the pile head affects significantly the settlement and the axial bearing capacity of the pile.     

Pile group settlement: A probabilistic approach

The uncertain settlement response of pile groups is determined using a ‘hybrid’ formulation and a first-order perturbation technique. The spatially varying soil modulus, which gives rise to the uncertainties in the pile group settlement, is modeled as a homogeneous random field. The random field is assumed to be one-dimensional since the ‘hybrid’ formulation does not account for horizontal variation in the soil properties. Using the proposed method, the coefficient of variation of the pile group settlement is computed. The single-pile solutions obtained compare favorably with the solutions from a conventional stochastic finite element analysis. Pile groups of sizes ranging from two to twenty-five piles are studied. It is observed that the coefficient of variation is not significantly affected by the pile spacing as well as the group size. By defining an appropriate performance function, the reliability index of a pile group system is also found to be approximately the same as that of a single-pile system. These observations suggest that the solutions for a single pile may be used to estimate the uncertainties in the settlement response of pile groups.     

Pile driving by numerical cavity expansion

A cavity expansion procedure for the simulation of pile driving is presented and assessed in this paper. The analysis uses a non-linear finite-element model and the penetration of the pile into the soil is simulated by a radial opening of the soil around the pile. The case of a pile advanced by expansion will be compared to a similar pile subjected to computational driving (referred to, respectively, as ‘expanded’ and ‘driven’ piles for convenience). The state of stress and deformation, and the evolution of pore-water pressure in the soil will be monitored for the expanded and driven piles. Further computational driving will be applied to both cases and the pile response and soil resistance will be compared. The computational cost of advancing the pile by expansion will finally be investigated. Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Axial and lateral response of pile groups embedded in nonhomogeneous soils

A numerical method of analysis based on elasticity theory is presented for the analysis of axially and laterally loaded pile groups embedded in nonhomogeneous soils. The problem is decomposed into two systems, namely the group piles acted upon by external applied loads and pile–soil interaction forces, and a layered soil continuum acted upon by a system of pile–soil interaction forces at the imaginary positions of the piles. The group piles are discretized into discrete elements while the nonhomogeneous soil behaviour is determined from an economically viable finite element procedure. The load–deformation relationship of the pile group system is then determined by considering the equilibrium of the pile–soil interaction forces, and the compatibility of the pile and soil displacements. The influence of soil nonlinearity can be studied by limiting the soil forces at the pile–soil interface, and redistributing the ‘excess forces’ by an ‘initial stress’ process popular in elasto-plastic finite element analysis. The solutions from this approach are compared with some available published solutions for single piles and pile groups in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous soils. A limited number of field tests on pile groups are studied, and show that, in general, the computed response compares favourably with the field measurements.     

Approximate computer analysis of pile groups subjected to loads and ground movements

This paper describes the development of an approximate approach for the analysis and design of piles subjected to axial and lateral loading and also to vertical and horizontal ground movements. The analysis involves a number of simplifications in order to make it feasible to implement. For example, it considers the behaviour of a ‘representative’ pile in a group to characterize the behaviour of all piles in the group, and adopts approximations to derive free-field interaction factors from the conventional interaction factors for direct loading. The analysis has been implemented via a computer program called EMbankment PIle Group (EMPIG) and has the ability to incorporate the following features:

• 1. single piles or pile groups,
• 2. applied vertical, lateral and moment loading on the pile cap,
• 3. the effects of axial and lateral soil movements caused by embankment construction,
• 4. a layered soil profile,
• 5. non-linear axial and lateral response of the piles.

Comparisons between solutions from EMPIG and other independent programs suggest that it is capable of providing results of adequate accuracy for practical design purposes. The analysis has been used to investigate the effects of pile rake on a typical bridge abutment group. The presence of raked piles can have a detrimental effect on group behaviour, especially in the presence of ground movements. Large lateral deflections can be generated and axial forces and moments in the piles are increased. Comparisons are also made with the results of centrifuge model tests on abutment pile groups. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the response prediction of horizontally loaded fixed-head pile groups in sands

The aim of this paper is to investigate the behavior of laterally loaded pile groups in sands with a rigid head and correlate the response of a pile group it to that of a single pile. For this purpose, a computationally intensive study using 3-D nonlinear numerical analysis was carried out for different pile group arrangements in sandy soils. The responses of the pile groups were compared to that of the single pile and the variation of the displacement amplification factor R_a was then quantified. The influence of the number of piles, the spacing, and the deflection level on the group response is discussed. A relationship for predicting the response of a pile group, based on its configuration and the response of a single pile, has been formulated allowing also for soil shear strength which was found to affect the group response. The relationship provides a reasonable prediction for various group configurations in sandy soils.     

New method for non-linear analysis of laterally loaded flexible piles

The authors' previous application of non-linear analysis of the behavior of rigid piles is extended to the elastic and plastic behavior of flexible piles under lateral load. Using Broyden's approach of solving non-linear simultaneous equations and the conventional p-y concept, a new numerical method of non-linear analysis is developed. Comparisons of the results computed by present method with the results of previous similar methods are presented to show the efficiency and usefulness of the present method. For flexible piles a study of the relationship between effective depth De and relative pile stiffness Kr for both elastic and plastic ranges is carried out. Thus the analytical basis for the method using previous results of the bearing capacity and displacements of laterally loaded rigid piles to predict those of flexible piles is provided.     

考虑桩-土非线性接触的自平衡桩基测试有限元分析

自平衡桩基测试由于不受场地限制,在桥梁桩基检测和水上试桩领域得到较为广泛应用,但由于自身承受荷载机理、桩土相互作用与传统桩基静载测试不同,目前其实际应用仍然存在一些问题,因此需要在自平衡加载方式下建立合理数值模型来为进一步理论分析奠定模型基础。在考虑桩体非线性接触面基础上,研究了决定非线性接触性质的摩擦系数计算原则及相关模型参数取值,基于ANSYS接触面单元建立了自平衡桩基有限元模型,以武汉工程为依托,与实测结果进行对比,结果表明基于接触面单元建立的自平衡桩基模型具有更高的精确度,能够很好反映真实荷载作用下上下段桩位移曲线图。