Dynamics of pile driving by the finite element method

It is proposed that the dynamics of pile driving based on the one-dimensional theory of wave propagation be analyzed by the finite element method. This approach enables one to continuously interpolate the displacement, velocity and acceleration profiles throughout the pile length. In contrast to the finite difference technique presented by E. A. L. Smith 1] and the finite element procedure presented by I. M. Smith 2] in which initial conditions are defined on the basis of a prescribed hammer velocity, the method presented herein defines initial conditions on the basis of a prescribed impact force versus time curve at the pile/hammer point of contact. Applications of the proposed technique to typical pile driving problems on an elastoplastic soil and using an implicit time-integration scheme are discussed using a numerical example.