Technical Papers
Sep 12, 2016

Plasticity Model for Cyclic Axial Pile Response with Back-Analyses of West Delta Pile Tests

Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17, Issue 4

Abstract

A two-surface bounding surface plasticity model for the undrained axial pile response in fine-grained soils is described and used in the back-analysis of full-scale pile tests using the empirical one-dimensional t-z spring method to represent the axial soil resistance. A damage mechanics component incorporates degradation of resistance as a result of accumulated plastic displacement. The computed pile shaft-resistance damage along the pile allows estimation of its evolving capacity. The model produces evolving local cyclic and average resistances mobilized along the pile that are consistent with the observed test responses. The model is used to investigate the cyclic capacity of the same pile conditions under combinations of mean and variable loads. The implications of the test data and modeling results on the design of tension piles are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks Mr. Ole Lindefjeld of ConocoPhillips Norway and Mr. Edward Stokes of ConocoPhillips for providing the West Delta pile test reports and permitting the presentation of the test data here.

References

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Go to International Journal of Geomechanics
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 17Issue 4April 2017

History

Received: Jan 18, 2016
Accepted: May 27, 2016
Published online: Sep 12, 2016
Discussion open until: Feb 12, 2017
Published in print: Apr 1, 2017

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W. O. McCarron [email protected]
President, ASGM Engineering, Inc., 2230 Eudora St., Denver, CO 80207. E-mail: [email protected]

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