Mathematical Model of an Offshore Friction Pile in Multilayered Saturated Soils

Abstract

In this paper, an analytical methodology is proposed to study the vibration of an offshore friction pile embedded in multilayered saturated viscoelastic soils by combining Biot’s saturated wave propagation theory, Novak’s plane-strain model, and the fictitious saturated soil pile model. The corresponding semi-analytical solution for the dynamic response of the pile is developed considering the heterogeneity, porosity, and limited thickness of the soils. The approach and relevant solution presented are validated by comparisons with existing solutions. Furthermore, numerical instances are used to investigate the influences of the porosity and heterogeneity of the saturated soils around and beneath the pile on the vibration of the pile. The findings from this paper provide a theoretical reference for a comprehensive understanding of the wave propagation characteristics of a friction pile embedded in heterogeneous saturated soil with limited thickness.