Liquefaction-induced lateral load on pile group of wharf system in a sloping stratum: A centrifuge shake-table investigation

Abstract

In order to investigate the liquefied soil pressure inposed on an individual pile of pile group, a centrifugal shake table test on a pile-supported wharf on the sloping saturated sand stratum has been designed and implemented in this study. Final test results, including processing results of free-field soil responses as well as lateral displacements at the deck, are presented and discussed in detail. Analysis of pile bending moments of pile group shows that seaside pile bottom can come under more bending moment in contrast to landside piles, and the bending moment seems greater at pile top and bottom. A simplified finite element model has been constructed for an accurate analysis of liquefied soil pressure arising from lateral soil flow, where triangular soil pressure and uniform soil pressure need to be calibrated according to the measured monotonic bending moment of piles. Furthermore, comparisons with the current distribution law were made using the experimental outcomes. Finally, for investigating the effect of pile connection point rotational stiffness, parametric studies were carried out.