Dynamic Response of Pile Foundations: Experimental Research and Current Practice


Özgenoğlu M., Arıcı Y.

5. International Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Ankara, Turkey, 8 - 11 October 2019, pp.1-8

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Ankara
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-8
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Structural modelling and analysis of a superstructure under dynamic loadings becomes a complex problem if the soil and the foundation effects are included in the model. The use of the dynamic impedance functions, a common practice for representation of the soil and foundation systems, is being replaced by the use of more detailed structural models and elaborate constitutive relations determined to yield better prediction of the demands on the structures having pile-foundations. Constitution of the complete model of a soil-pile-structure system is a rigorous task, requiring a comprehensive understanding on the complex behavior of the soil-pile-structure system. The complexity of the soil-pile interaction under dynamic loadings arises from various features like material nonlinearities of soil and structural elements, the degradation or hardening in the soil strength and stiffness, pile group effects, etc. Experimental studies on the behavior of pile foundation systems is very important in this regard as they determine both the development of constitutive models for use in prediction studies as well as the nature of the methods for the evaluation of the pile-structure system. The goal of this study is to outline the current state of the art of the prediction of the response of pile-structure-foundation systems. With this in mind, first, the experimental studies on prediction of pile behavior are summarized and evaluated. Then, the practical approach to the modeling of piles in the design codes and guidelines, as derived from these studies, are summarized. The relationship between the experimental studies and the design guidelines, which form the basic backbone of engineering assumptions in design and evaluation of these systems, is outlined. Finally, the requirements in the current modeling environment for more elaborate structure-pile-foundation models are presented.