Pile Group Effect Modeling and Parametric Sensitivity Analysis of Scoured Pile Group Bridge Foundations in Sandy Soils under Lateral Loads
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28, Issue 8
Abstract
Scour can increase the earthquake-induced damage in pile group foundations. Quantifying the parameter sensitivity of the seismic performance for scoured pile group foundations is essential for the optimal design and retrofit of bridges located in seismic-prone regions. Such quantification requires numerical models that are computationally efficient and accurate in describing the mechanical behavior associated with the complex soil–foundation–structure interaction of these systems. This study proposes an efficient finite-element model (FEM) of pile groups based on a beam on the nonlinear Winkler foundation approach. This FEM uses asymmetric p-multipliers to describe the different soil resistance exerted on leading and trailing piles when applying cyclic lateral loads. The proposed FEM is validated by comparing the numerical response with the experimental measurements taken from a quasi-static test available in the literature and is used to perform an extensive parametric sensitivity analysis to quantify the response sensitivity to 11 structural and soil parameters. Tornado diagrams are employed to identify an importance ranking of these parameters on the seismic performance of scoured pile groups. The obtained results indicate that the proposed FEM is able to capture both the global and local structural responses of pile group foundations. The parametric sensitivity analysis shows that pile group foundations have considerable ductility capacity. Pile diameter and axial load ratio of piles are the most important parameters for the seismic performance of pile groups. Increasing the pile diameter is the most efficient approach to improve the seismic performance of a pile group when considering scour effects. The seismic performance of a scoured pile group deteriorates with increasing piles’ axial load ratio. For a deep pile group foundation, seismic performance is very little sensitive to pile length and relative density of sand. Based on the results of the parametric analysis, recommendations are proposed for the seismic design of pile group foundations with scour effects.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding support of this work by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51778469 and 52178155) and the State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, Ministry of Science and Technology of China (Grant No. SLDRCE19-B-20). The first author is thankful for the financial support from the China Scholarship Council. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the sponsoring organizations. Special thanks to Professor Ross W. Boulanger at the University of California, Davis who provided significant suggestions on the modeling of the pile group effect under cyclic loading. All staff members in the Multi-Functional Shaking Table Laboratory of Tongji University at Jiading Campus are also gratefully acknowledged.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 28 • Issue 8 • August 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 18, 2022
Accepted: Mar 23, 2023
Published online: May 16, 2023
Published in print: Aug 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Oct 16, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Analysis (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Finite element method
- Foundations
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulics
- Mathematics
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Parameters (statistics)
- Pile foundations
- Pile groups
- Scour
- Seismic tests
- Sensitivity analysis
- Soil analysis
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Statistics
- Tests (by type)
- Water and water resources
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