Abstract
This paper focuses on a numerical approach to finding the p–y curves for laterally loaded piles. The Drucker–Prager plastic model is employed and implemented within a finite element MATLAB code. The pre- and post-processing code for Gmsh and related numerical tools are established as well. The p–y curve results from this new approach have been validated and compared to the typical design equations of API (American Petroleum Institute) and Matlock. The validation reveals that the code leads to lower p–y curves than the API and Matlock equations when the horizontal displacement is less than 0.35 times the diameter of the pile (B). A sensitivity analysis of the number of elements and the interface thickness is presented. The results indicate that the obtained p–y curves are independent of the two factors. Finally, the influence of clay content on the p–y behavior is investigated by the implemented MATLAB code. When y < 0.15B, the same lateral capacity values are resulted at clay contents of 27.5% and 55%, and they are higher than the ones for 0% clay content. The p–y curves show a decreasing trend with increasing clay content after y > 0.15B.
Highlights
Pile foundation is one of the most commonly used foundation types in complicated site conditions
To validate the calculation of the p–y curves, interface test results of soil consisting of 55% clay and concrete plate are selected as input parameters and the corresponding p–y curves are traced and compared with different design methods (API and Matlock)
Even if the p–y curve obtained from the MATLAB code presents a shape which is not identical to those from the API and Matlock empirical equations, the normalized horizontal reaction force does not exceed the empirical values when y < 0.35B, it is characterized with smaller difference to the Matlock curve up until y/B = 0.6
Summary
Pile foundation is one of the most commonly used foundation types in complicated site conditions. One of the main aspects that we want to focus on is the response of piles when they are subjected to lateral loading. This problem can be typically investigated by tracing the so-called p–y curves, which represent the relationship between the lateral displacement (y) and the lateral force (p) for a generic transversal section of the pile. A finite element-based p–y curve deduction is presented, capable of accounting for the plastic behavior of the soil and of the soil–concrete interface. The results will be compared with the curves from the typical equations
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