Abstract: | 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. |