Numerical Simulations on a Tube-Installed Displacement Pile in Sand Using Stress-Controlled Method

Abstract

During the installation of a displacement pile the surrounding soil is pushed away and distorted. For a driven pile the process is even more complex, due to vibrations caused by the installation process. In engineering practice the installation effects are accounted for empirical or analytical design method. For more complex geotechnical constructions, especially in cases with complex load combinations or strong interaction with neighboring structures, the use of the finite element method is common, in order to reach an optimal and economical design. However, when the modeling of displacement piles is attempted in finite element code, the installation phase is often not taken into account. Considering effects of pile installation is a challenging task for numerical simulations of displacement piles. This paper presents 2-D axysimmetric finite element analysis of one mini-pile in sand. For initializing the effects of installation, stress-controlled cavity expansion is considered. It is shown that realistic stress fields can be obtained by stress controlled cavity expansion up to the appropriate value of K, which is later pressure parameter ( later soil pressure to vertical stress). The method is considered as a feasible method for engineering practice to simulate the effects of installation.