Lateral Load Capacity and p-Multiplier of Group Piles with Asymmetrical Pile Cap under Seismic Load

Abstract

Earthquakes are a high-risk natural phenomenon in Indonesia, which is between three tectonic plates: the Eurasian, Pacific, and Indo–Australian plates. This study examines the response of bored piles with asymmetrical pile cap in the Auditorium Building of Brawijaya University to seismic loads, which is still rare to conduct this research. This study assessed based on 3D finite element-numerical approach, where lateral resistance and p-multiplier values compared on the effects of combination lateral loads, pile stiffness, and soil stiffness. The behavior of lateral resistance and deflection group piles with asymmetrical pile cap and single pile with square pile cap gives a good agreement. The side slope of the pile cap can increase the shear zone, increase the lateral resistance, and the most considerable lateral resistance to the lowest occurs in the horizontal direction, opposite the loading direction. In addition, the pile configuration that is not symmetrical gives an increasing p-multiplier value followed by an increasing deflection and the p-multiplier from the 3D finite element method was within the recommended range.