Three-Dimensional and Threefold Nonlinear Numerical Modeling for Slope-Stabilizing Pile

Abstract

To enhance the accuracy and reliability of the design calculation for reinforced concrete slope-stabilizing pile, a three-dimensional and threefold nonlinear numerical modeling method was proposed. Namely, in the three-dimensional modeling the material nonlinearity is considered with soil modeled with a nonlinear elastic model, and reinforced concrete pile with an advanced damaged plasticity model for the first time in particular. The boundary nonlinearity is considered by using the Coulomb friction to model the interactions on both soil-pile and soil-rock interfaces. And the geometry nonlinearity is taken into account by adopting the large deformation algorithm. In addition, a post-processing approach for the sectional bending moment of pile body is presented when a reinforced concrete pile is modeled with solid elements, and steel bars with truss elements embedded in concrete. The proposed method was successfully applied to model a pilot pile. The same ultimate bearing capacity as the test was obtained. Comparisons also show that the computed displacements and maximum moments agreed well with the measurements regardless of whether the pile was working in the elastic or damaged plastic state, and even the advent of cracking was identical with the test. In addition, the fluctuation phenomenon of moment diagrams of the pile body in the damaged plastic state as well as the spatial distribution of soil resistance were revealed for the first time. The outcomes highlighted the accuracy, reliability and efficiency of the proposed method.