Reliability Analysis of Pile Settlement
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 11
Abstract
The stochastic finite element method is applied to study the effect of a spatially varying soil medium on the settlement of single‐pile foundations. In this study, the soil medium is assumed to be linear‐elastic, and it is modeled as a homogeneous random field. The random field captures the uncertainty in the soil modulus by means of the coefficient of variation and the scales of fluctuation. Using a first‐order second‐moment technique, the mean and coefficient of variation of the pile head settlement are determined. It is found that the uncertainty of the pile head settlement is dependent on both deterministic and stochastic parameters. Reliability analysis is then performed to compute the reliability index and the corresponding probability of unserviceable behavior. In order to facilitate the probabilistic design of pile foundations, the results of the analysis are presented in the form of concise charts suitable for use by practicing engineers.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 116 • Issue 11 • November 1990
Pages: 1717 - 1734
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: Nov 1, 1990
Published in print: Nov 1990
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