Influence of Rotational Stiffness on the Distribution of Horizontal Forces on All-Vertical-Pile-Supported Wharf Structures
A calculation method of rotational stiffness of all-vertical-pile-supported (AVPS) wharf is discussed and a formula based on rotational stiffness is derived to evaluate the distribution of horizontal forces on an AVPS wharf. Combining with an engineering example, the rotational stiffness and the horizontal force distribution coefficients were calculated utilizing finite element method (FEM), the elastic support-rigid beam method (ESRBM) outlined in Chinese Harbor Code, as well as the proposed formula for the piles layout width-length ratio of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6. Results indicate that the increase in width-length ratio will increase the rotational stiffness and make the distribution of horizontal forces on each bent to be more uniform. Results calculated by the proposed formula are agree well with the results by FEM. The maximum difference of the distribution coefficient on the first bent between the results obtained by the proposed formula and by ESRBM is approximately 22%.