Loading transfer mechanism of a piled raft subjected to normal faulting in sand

Although different kinds of foundations have been investigated against an earthquake faulting, the interaction between pile group and dip-slip fault has not yet been fully understood. This letter investigates the interaction between piled raft and normal faulting by means of centrifuge and numerical modelling. In centrifuge test, a piled raft was simulated with a half model for a better observation of fault rupture path under the raft. The loading transfer mechanism was further examined using a three-dimensional finite difference software (FLAC3D). The measured and computed results showed that the piled raft displaced and tilted linearly with the magnitude of faulting. The fault rupture bifurcated into two and diverted towards both edges of the raft. Two types of loading transfer mechanism were identified during faulting. Working load transferred from the raft to the underneath piles, and also from the piles on the side of the hanging wall to the piles on the footwall side, resulting in compression failure of the piles on the footwall side.

Seismic site response of layered saturated sand: comparison of finite element simulations with centrifuge test results

A numerical model based on the finite element framework was developed to predict the seismic response of saturated sand under free-field conditions. The finite element framework used a non-linear coupled hypoplastic model based on the u-p formulation to simulate the behaviour of the saturated sand. The u-p coupled constitutive model was implemented as a user-defined routine in commercial ABAQUS explicit 6.14. Results of centrifuge experiments simulating seismic site response of a layered saturated sand system were used to validate the numerical results. The centrifuge test consisted of a three-layered saturated sand system subjected to one-dimensional seismic shaking at the base. The test set-up was equipped with accelerometers, pore pressure transducers, and LVDTs at various levels. Most of the constitutive models used to date for predicting the seismic response of saturated sands have underestimated volumetric strains even after choosing material parameters subjected to rigorous calibration measures. The hypoplastic model with intergranular strains calibrated against monotonic triaxial test results was able to effectively capture the volumetric strains, reasons for which are discussed in this paper. The comparison of the numerical results to centrifuge test data illustrates the capabilities of the developed u-p hypoplastic formulation to perform pore fluid analysis of saturated sand in ABAQUS explicit, which inherently lacks this feature.

Numerical Study on the Behavior of Square Stiffened Caissons Penetrating into Normally Consolidated Clay

Significant difference between predicted and measured installation resistance of stiffened suction caissons was identified due to the existing uncertainty regarding the mobilized soil flow mechanisms. This paper describes an extensive investigation of square stiffened caisson penetration in nonhomogeneous clays undertaken through large deformation FE (LDFE) analysis to identify the soil flow mechanisms around and between lateral ring stiffeners. A detailed parametric study has been carried out, exploring a range of nondimensional parameters related to stiffened caisson geometry, caisson roughness, and soil strength. The LDFE results were compared with centrifuge test data in terms of soil flow mechanisms, with good agreement obtained. Two interesting features of soil flow inside the caisson were observed including soil backflow into the gaps between the embedded stiffeners and soil heaving at the surface. It shows that the cavity depth can reach ∼5 m. Finally, simple expressions were proposed for estimating the critical depths of soil backflow and cavity formation.

Two-Dimensional Parametric Study of an Embankment on Clay Improved by an Artificial Crust Composite Foundation

In order to reduce the foundation settlement, conserve resources, and be environmental-friendly while increasing the use of soil resources, an artificial crust layer formed by in situ stabilization is proposed to combine with prestressed pipe piles over soft ground in road construction. In this study, a centrifuge test and two-dimensional coupled-consolidation finite-element analyses are conducted to simulate the construction of an embankment. And a two-dimensional parametric study is conducted to study the performance indicated by maximum long-term settlement, excess pore water, and tensile stress under various conditions. The results of the centrifuge test clearly show that the measured settlement, excess pore water, and tensile stress are in good agreement with the calculated results. In addition, the key factors of pile spacing and thickness and strength of the crust have an influence on the maximum settlement, stress of the foundation, and tensile stress of the crust using the two-dimensional coupled-consolidation finite-element analyses. And the stress transfer regular of the foundation is analyzed under various conditions. Moreover, the failure of the crust contained tensile cracking and shearing failure and the thickness of the pile that pierced the crust are also affected by the key factors.