Dynamic P-Y Curves for Dry Sand from Centrifuge Tests

Abstract

In this article, the simplified dynamic p-y backbone curve was suggested through a series of dynamic centrifuge tests. The centrifuge tests were carried out for a single pile in dry sand, while changing the conditions such as pile diameters, relative densities, input acceleration amplitudes and frequencies. Based on the results, the dynamic p-y backbone curve was formed as a hyperbolic function by connecting the peak points of the resulting experimental dynamic p-y curves, which corresponded to the maximum soil resistances. In order to represent the p-y backbone curve numerically, the initial stiffness and the ultimate subgrade reaction of soil, which are required to formulate the p-y backbone curve, were proposed as a function of the properties of a pile and soil. The dynamic p-y backbone curve was compared with the p-y curves that are currently used in practice. Also, the applicability of the dynamic p-y backbone curve was verified using psuedo-static analysis, and the analysis result using the backbone curve more successfully simulated the other centrifuge test results than that using the existing p-y curve.