Study on Negative Skin Friction of Pile Groups Considering Coupled Effect of Surface Load and Soil Consolidation

Abstract

The study was performed based on an analysis of model test results of 3×3 pile group and confirmed the reliability and accuracy of determining negative skin friction (NSF) using numerical modeling of fluid-soild interaction. A 3D numerical model with surface load and soil consolidation was established using FLAC3D, which focused on the mechanism of NSF and its influence factors such as friction of pile-soil interface, spacing of pile and time of consolidation. The results obtained under different cases in an engineering practice were finally compared with measured and empirical data, showing that it is necessary to consider surface load and soil consolidation when dealing with NSF. The results also indicated the analysis with surface load and soil consolidation could simulate the developing process of NSF and produce a more accurate outcome — closer to measured data. The NSF increases rapidly at beginning and then slowly down, finally stabilized at a constant as soil consolidation progresses. Due to pile group effects, the piles at the centre had a smaller downdrag and settlement than those at corner or at edges; pile group effects became more obvious when pile spacing decreased.