Numerical analysis of single rammed aggregate piers installed in stratified soil profiles

Abstract

In this study, Rammed Aggregate Pier systems are analyzed according to the numerical analysis that are performed by two dimensional commercial finite element analysis software. The focus point of the paper is to identify the effects of pier dimensions, stratification of foundation soil profile and load applying levels on the deformation behavior of interacted rammed aggregate pier-surrounding soil system at the installation stage. Interpretations of the parametrical analyses are focused on the deformation change via loading levels. The relative displacement occurrence between pier and soil matrix is also checked.