Prediction of the measured response of a scaled soil-pile-superstructure system

The validity of the Winkler foundation model is investigated by predicting the experimentally measured displacement transfer functions and strain spectra of a single pile embedded in a sandbox and supporting a single-degree-of-freedom superstructure. The foundation-superstructure system is a scale model and was subjected to shake table excitations. The distributed springs and dashpots of the Winkler foundation model are frequency dependent and the calibrated model predicts satisfactorily the displacement transfer function at different depths for both fixed- and free-tip pile conditions. On the other hand, the pile-axial-strains are substantially underestimated when expressed in terms of the second derivative of the computed elastic line of the pile. It is shown that a much more dependable prediction is achieved when pile-axial-strains are expressed in terms of the inertial forces acting along the pile-superstructure system.     

Evaluating accuracy for two empirical methods in predicting settlement of drilled shafts

Several theoretical, empirical and semi-empirical methods are available in the literature to predict settlement of drilled shafts in sandy soils. In the Arabian Gulf countries, specifically in the United Arab Emirates, equations and procedure from the rest of the world are being used in analysis and design of drilled shafts without proper validation. It is the aim of this study to assess the applicability and evaluate the accuracy of two well known, and commonly used methods for pile prediction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), namely Vesic (1977) and Poulos (1979), via comparison with data from field pile load tests conducted on shafts drilled in the region. Some of these tests were conducted for the purpose of this study, while others were made available through the courtesy of International Piling Contractors who are active in the region (e.g. Bauer International and Swiss Borings). Pile load test data were analyzed to back-calculate the model parameters related to settlement under different loading stages. Geological data and soil properties were obtained from studies conducted at the relevant sites. An effort is made to correlate soil properties with the prediction models. Statistical analysis is conducted to assess the accuracy of the results obtained from the two methods at different stages of loading via those obtained from pile load tests. Moreover, a detailed parametric study is conducted to assess the effect of the related parameters on the predicted pile settlement and the estimated settlement at different stages of loading. The study concluded with a recommendation of the most appropriate models and procedures to be followed for predicting the settlement of drilled shafts in the UAE, together with useful charts and correlation relations. Results showed that settlement values predicted by Vesic (1977) and Poulos (1979) overestimates the true values. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Effect of Concrete Deformation on Displacement of an Axially Loaded Drilled Shaft

This article presents the settlement of drilled shafts resulting from their structural deformations. Although drilled shafts are widely used as foundations for settlement-sensitive structures such as bridges and high-rise buildings, the structural deformations of drilled shafts are not typically taken into account in the design process. However, if unexpected structural deformations of drilled shafts cause additional settlement to the foundation, the serviceability of the superstructure can be jeopardized. Unfortunately, very few research efforts have been made to quantify the structural deformation of drilled shafts; this needs to be addressed to accurately predict the settlement of drilled shafts. In this study, we investigate the effect of structural deformation on displacement of axially loaded drilled shafts. Finite element analyses were performed to quantify the structural deformation of drilled shafts. The analysis results indicated that the structural deformation of drilled shafts could be quite significant for long drilled shafts. The main factors that affected the structural deformation of drilled shafts were found to be pile length, the material properties of drilled shafts, and the relative humidity of surrounding soil. An approximate equation is proposed to estimate the long-term deformation of drilled shafts.     

Limiting equilibrium method for slope/drilled shaft system

The use of drilled shafts to stabilize an unstable slope has been a widely accepted practice. There are two basic design and analysis issues involved: one is to determine the global factor of safety of the drilled shafts stabilized slope and the other one is to determine the design earth thrust on the drilled shafts for structural design of the shafts. In this paper, a limiting equilibrium method of slices based solution for calculating global factor of safety (FS) of a slope with the presence of a row of drilled shafts is developed. The arching mechanisms due to the presence of the drilled shafts on slope were taken into account by a load transfer factor. The method for calculating the net force applied to the drilled shaft from the soil mass was also developed. The interrelationships among the drilled shaft location on the slope, the load transfer factor, and the global FS of the slope/shaft system were derived utilizing the developed numerical closed‐form solution. An illustrative example is presented to elucidate the use of the solution in optimizing the location of the drilled shafts on slope to achieve the desired global factor of safety of the slope/shaft system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical analysis on post-grouted drilled shafts: A case study at the Brazo River Bridge,TX

This paper investigates the effects of post-grouting on the behavior of drilled shafts using a case study carried out at the Brazo River, Texas. Commercial finite element software, PLAXIS, was used to quantify the improvement of the tip resistance and side shear resistance of post-grouted drilled shafts (PGDS). The input material parameters of PLAXIS were initially estimated using CPT sounding results, and then the parameters were updated by calibrating the numerical results against full-scale STATNAMIC load test results. Based on the numerical analysis, the authors concluded that (1) the increase in total resistance of PGDS resulted from soil improvement at the shaft tip, (2) the apparent increase in side shear resistance resulted from side shear reversal that occurred during post-grouting, and (3) the apparent increase in the tip resistance of PGDS may be caused by stress relief of the grout. In addition, two approaches to estimate the resistance of PGDS were compared against numerical results. In this case study, the Axial Capacity Multiplier (ACM) approach over-predicted the total resistance whereas the Tip Capacity Multiplier (TCM) approach reasonably predicted the increase in total resistance.     

Vulnerability of floating tunnel shafts for increasing earthquake loading

Fragility curves constitute the cornerstone in seismic risk evaluations and performance-based earthquake engineering. They describe the probability of a structure to experience a certain damage level for a given earthquake intensity measure, providing a relationship between seismic hazard and vulnerability. In this paper a numerical approach is applied to derive fragility curves for tunnel shafts built in clays, a component that is found in several critical infrastructure such as urban metro networks, airport facilities or water and waste water projects. The seismic response of a representative tunnel shaft is assessed using tridimensional finite difference non-linear analyses carried out with the program FLAC^3D, under increasing levels of seismic intensity. A hysteretic model is used to simulate the soil non-linear behavior during the seismic event. The effect of soil conditions and ground motion characteristics on the soil-structure system response is accounted for in the analyses. The damage is defined based on the exceedance of the concrete wall shaft capacity due to the developed seismic forces. The fragility curves are estimated in terms of peak ground acceleration at a rock or stiff soil outcrop, based on the evolution of damage with increasing earthquake intensity. The proposed fragility models allows the characterization of the seismic risk of a representative tunnel shaft typology and soil conditions considering the associated uncertainties, and partially fill the gap of data required in performing a risk analysis assessment of tunnels shafts.     

水平面代替水准面对两井贯通的影响

理论结合实际,用详实的数据说明了在两井贯通时,把水准面当作水平面处理的界限,避免了盲目应用而产生严重后果.     

Methodology for preliminary seismic design of extended pile‐shafts for bridge structures

Seismic design of extended pile‐shafts requires a careful consideration of the influence of the surrounding soil on the overall response of the soil–pile system. In this paper, a procedure that incorporates soil properties into the process is developed for preliminary seismic design of extended pile‐shafts. The method follows the well‐accepted approach of using a force reduction factor to determine the lateral strength of the structure. The procedure involves an iterative process to arrive at the required amount of longitudinal reinforcement. Other outcomes of the procedure include the appropriate lateral stiffness and strength, as well as an estimation of the local curvature demand and ultimate drift ratio that can be used to ensure a satisfactory lateral response. The design procedure is capable of providing reliable results for a practical range of structural and soil properties. The versatility of the procedure is illustrated using two numerical examples of extended pile‐shafts constructed in different soil sites. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

喀斯特地区嵌岩混凝土摩擦桩的反算

云南南盘江大桥为7跨预应力钢构连续桥, 1、2号墩为桩基,采用人工挖孔灌注桩。No. 2嵌岩桩底下部12m处为强风化白云岩。对拟定的端承区域勘探发现在桩底的岩石- 混凝土接触区域有一溶洞,溶洞高约20m,垂直发育,洞底有粘土、碎石土充填,结构松散,粘土为软塑状。东南大学采用与O-cel l试验类似的平衡内部千斤顶系统进行了桩的荷载实验。O-cell试验安装在距桩底12m处,即靠近桩下部的弱风化与强风化岩石之间的接触区域。本文阐述了O-cell试验数值分析中用来反算桩体/岩石交接区域特性的部分。采用的数值分析软件为BAQUS,版本6. 4 ( ABAQ US, 2004) 。同时采用二维轴对称模型来对桩径2. 5m、桩长49m的钻孔桩进行O-cell试验数值模拟。假设加载的钻孔桩的变形与屈服发生在混凝土桩体与岩石的交接区域,混凝土桩为线弹性,强风化白云岩与弱风化白云岩为弹- 塑性,并可用Drucker- Prag er 模型( ABAQUS, 2004)表示,对岩石和混凝土- 岩体接触面的特性进行反算,然后用反算结果模拟桩顶荷载特征。数值模拟计算和现场载荷试验检测的载荷- 位移曲线对比表明,除了非弹性和永久变形外,整个向上与向下的变形与试验检测到的值基本相同。这主要是由于接触面模型的弹性性质所决定的,即它在卸载过程中会将滑动的接触面复原;而永久变形是岩体-混凝土接触面屈服的结果。必须指出的是,由于桩的承载力相对较高( 2. 5m桩径,嵌岩长度37m) ,试验不能达到最终荷载, 所以检测到的变形也较小( <10mm)。分别在桩端、O-单元荷载盒上37m处检测向上弯沉,并将结果与O-单元荷载盒顶部的弯沉作比较。结果发现,由于桩是由O-单元荷载盒底部向上加载,所以桩端的弯沉预计比O-单元荷载盒的弯沉小约5mm。这一差值几乎等于施加荷载状态下无限制(Δ= P L /A E )桩体的理论弹性缩短量。通过O-cell现场试验可以有效地观测加载状态下荷载弯沉反应情况和调整或校准数值分析中的材料模型,并可将之推广应用到相同地质条件下类似项目施工的其它桩的反应过程中。此外,还可以通过溶洞区域中的高承载力桩的O-cell试验结果来构建桩体摩擦反应的模型; 在模型摩擦反应基础上,可以估计桩端预计的变形反应值; 在交接面反应中,可以采用正弦接触面有效地引入人工粘结和表面粘结。      

Side resistance of drilled shafts in granular soils investigated by DEM

The paper presents a numerical study on the side resistance of a drilled shaft in granular materials. The numerical result is used to develop new design equations for the side resistance of drilled shafts in granular soils. The Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to model a drilled shaft in granular material. The granular material is represented as assemblies of ellipsoidal particles. Nominal side resistance is represented as the product of a parameter (β) and vertical stress. The numerical result shows that the relationship between β and void ratio can be described by a hyperbolic function for a given vertical stress. DEM result is also compared with three design equations. Although these design equations capture the decrease of β with depth, deviation is observed between the DEM results and the design equations. Finally, new design equations based on state parameter are proposed.