Reliability-Based Design of Pile Foundations

Abstract

Properties of natural soil are inherently variable that influences the design of pile foundation. Apart from inherent variability, uncertainty in pile design arises due to measurement of soil properties in the field or laboratory tests and model error. Furthermore, long-term performance of foundation also depends on fluctuation in loads and resistances both in temporal and spatial scales. Hence, a probabilistic model for the assessment of response characteristics of foundation is necessary. The objective of reliability-based design is to quantify probability of failure or reliability of a foundation system considering variability in the design parameters and associated safety. This article primarily addresses the reliability-based design methodologies of pile foundation under static and dynamic loading. The significance of consideration of variability in soil parameters in the design of pile foundation pertaining to building foundation and offshore structures is highlighted.