Analysis of the Response of a Single Pile Using the Disturbance State Concept Theory

Abstract

Based on disturbed state concept (DSC) theory, this paper reports an analysis of the progressive failure mechanism of a pile–soil system from a new perspective. Assuming that the strengths of the pile–soil interface elements and the soil elements at the pile end follow an exponential distribution, the load transfer models of skin friction and end resistance based on DSC theory are established, and the significance and value method of the parameters in the models are clarified. The analysis of the relevant parameters shows that the proposed DSC load transfer models can simulate the nonlinear hardening or softening behavior of skin friction and end resistance. Based on the proposed DSC load transfer models, a simple and efficient iterative calculation method for the analysis of the bearing behavior of a single pile is established. It is demonstrated from case studies that, compared with calculated results using other methods, the load–settlement curves at the pile head obtained from the method proposed in this paper are in better agreement with the measured values, and could reflect the skin friction and end resistance softening characteristics of the tested piles in a more realistic manner. Furthermore, a parametric study is carried out to analyze the influence of the relevant model parameters on the response of a single pile.