The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367

PILE FOUNDATION FOR BRIDGES

M. SIREESHA1 M. NAYEEEM UR RAHAMAN2 INTHA SAI LAKSMI3 K. NAGASAI
TIRUMALA KUMAR4 GUNDEBOINA VENKATESH5 B. PALANKAIAH6
1
Assistant professor Department of civil engineering Malineni Perumallu Educational
Society’s Groups of Institutions.
2,3,4,5,6
UG students Department of civil engineering Malineni Perumallu Educational

Society’s Groups of Institutions

Abstract: To investigate the lateral load distribution of each pile in a pile group, the bending moment
distribution along the pile and the lateral group displacements with respect to pile location in the group, pile
spacing, pile diameter and soil stiffness three-dimensional finite element analysis were performed on 4x4 pile
groups in clay. Different Elastic Modulus values, pile spacings, pile diameters and lateral load levels used in this
study. In the analysis PLAXIS 3D Foundation geotechnical finite element package was used. It is found that,
lateral load distribution among the piles was mainly a function of row location in the group independent from
pile spacing. For a given load the leading row piles carried the greatest load. However, the trailing row piles
carried almost the same loads. For a given load, bending moment values of the leading row piles were greater
than the trailing row piles. On the other hand, as the spacing increased group displacements and individual pile
loads decreased under the same applied load. However, this behavior was seen more clearly in the first and the
second-row piles. For the third and the fourth-row piles, pile spacing became a less significant factor affecting
the load distribution. It is also found that, pile diameter and soil stiffness are not significant factors on lateral
load distribution as row location and pile spacing.

1. INTRODUCTION
Many structures need deep foundations in order to utilize the bearing capacity of deeper and stronger soil layers.
Group piles are one particular type of deep foundations most widely-used for high structures. In addition to the
vertical loads that must be carried by the piles, lateral loads may be present and must be considered in design.
These lateral loads can be caused by a variety of sources such as earthquakes, high winds, wave action, ship
impact, liquefaction, and slope failure.With respect to their use in practice, piles under lateral loads are termed
active piles or passive piles. An active pile is loaded principally at its top in supporting a superstructure such as a
brigde. However, a passive pile is loaded principally along its length due to earth pressure, such as piles used as
a retaining wall in a moving slope.
The nature of the loading and the kind of soil around the pile, are major factors in determining the response of
an isolated single pile and the pile groups. According to active loading at the pile head, four types can be
identified: static loading, cyclic loading, sustained loading and dynamic loading. Besides, passive loadings can
occur along the pile length due to moving soil, when a pile is used as an anchor.

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1.1 OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH:

The aim of the study is to explore the effect of pile spacing, soil stiffness and the load level on the load
distribution of each pile in a pile group, bending moment along the pile and the group displacements of the 4x4
pile groups in clay. A numerical study on these factors using finite element analysis on different cases of pile
groups have been performed.

2. NUMERICAL MODELLING
This study is focused on the assessment of the effects of pile spacing, pile diameter and soil stiffness on lateral
load distribution of each pile in a pile group and bending moment distribution along the pile. A parametric study
was carried out for this purpose. Numerical analysis performed as a part of this parametric study were carried
out by Plaxis 3D Foundation geotechnical finite element package which is specifically preferred for advanced
analysis for piles and pile-raft foundations. In the following paragraphs a short review of this program is given.

Plaxis 3D Foundation program consists of four basic components, namely Input, Calculation, Output and
Curves. In the Input program the boundary conditions, problem geometry with appropriate material properties
are defined. The problem geometry is the representation of a real three-dimensional problem and it is defined by
work-planes and boreholes. The model includes an idealized soil profile, structural objects, construction stages
and loading. The model should be large enough so that the boundaries do not influence the results. Boreholes are
points in the geometry model that define the idealized soil layers and the groundwater table at that point.
Multiple boreholes are used to define the variable soil profile of the project. During 3D mesh generation

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The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367

Fig 1 Mesh dimensions of the cross section of a typical 3D FE model

Fig 2 Mesh dimensions of a typical 3D FE model

3D finite elemet mesh is composed of elements, nodes and stress points. While generating the mesh, the
geometry is divided into 15-node wedge elements. As mentioned before, these elements are composed of the 6-
node triangles in x-z direction, as generated by 2D mesh generation. Moreover, 8-node quadrilateral faces are
generated in y-direction. The soil and the interfaces can be modelled with different complexity levels. 6-node
plate elements and 16-node interface elements are used to model the soil-structure interaction.

2.1 Definition of the Parametric Study and Analyzed Pile Groups

This study was performed on a 4x4 pile groups with rows spaced at from 2D to 5D center-center in the direction
of the loading as shown in Figure 3.4. As illustrated in Figure 3.4 the piles were classified in the group
according to their row location and the location witihin the row. Leading row and trailing rows were defined
according to the loading direction. Moreover piles were defined as outer and inner piles according to the

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location within the row. The purpose of the analysis was to determine the individual pile behaviour within the
group. The load distribution of each pile and the bending moment distribution along the pile at this particular
pile arrangement was defined for clays.

Fig 3 Typical pile group used in the parametric study

Total Lateral Load Center - Center Pile Spacing

Applied to the System 2D 3D 4D 5D
(kN)
1600
0kPa
4000

3200
E=

6400
8000
m
D

5
0
.

9600
11200
1600
E = 10000kPa

3200
6400
8000
9600
11200
1600
E = 40000kPa

3200
6400
0m
0.8
D
=

8000
9600
11200

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The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367

Table 1 Variables of the parametric study

2.2 Pile and Raft Parameters

Parameter Symbol Soft Clay Stiff Clay Unit
Type of Material Behaviour Drained Drained -
Unit Weight  19 19 kN/m3
Poisson’s Ratio ν 0.30 0.30 -
Cohesion c’ 25 25 kN/m2
Internal Friction Angle  28 28 °
Elastic modulus E 10 000 40 000 kN/m2
Dilatancy Angle ψ 0 0 °
Table 2 Material Ptoperties of Clay

Parameter Symbol Pile Pile Cap Unit

Type of Material Behaviour Elastic Elastic -
Thickness t - 80 cm
Diameter d 50 - cm
Unit Weight  24 24 kN/m3
Elastic modulus E 28 500 000 28 500 000 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio ν 0.15 0.15 -
Table 3 Material Ptoperties of Pile and Pile Cap

3. DISCUSSION OF THE RESULTS

The lateral load distribution among the individual piles and rows is a primary concern, in order to
understand group effects and various other behavioral characteristics of pile groups. Here, the variation of
the individual pile load among the rows and within the row will be discussed.

Lateral load analysis for the pile groups were performed using computer program Plaxis 3D Foundation and
the load distribution was determined for each row and for each pile within the row. The lateral load carried
by the piles was found to be a function of both row location and location within a row. Table 4.1 presents
the load distribution of pile groups with respect to row location and pile location within the row for each
pile group with different pile spacings.

Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load
1st ROW (kN) in Group having (kN) in Group having (kN) in Group having (kN) in Group having
PILES 2D Pile Spacing 3D Pile Spacing 4D Pile Spacing 5D Pile Spacing
Total Load Applied
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
to the System
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
(kN)
1600 138 107 114 93 79 69 60 53
3200 370 247 278 227 181 161 142 125
6400 800 496 604 500 479 428 396 359
8000 1030 619 770 632 620 555 514 467
9600 x x x x 775 690 x x
11200 x x x x x x 780 720

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The International journal of analytical and experimental modal analysis ISSN NO:0886-9367

Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load
2nd ROW (kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group
PILES having 2D Pile having 3D Pile having 4D Pile having 5D Pile
Spacing Spacing Spacing Spacing
Total Load Applied to
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
the System (kN)
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
1600 88 63 82 63 61 50 47 38
3200 188 141 177 139 131 110 112 94
6400 377 299 350 288 320 273 292 256
8000 466 388 434 368 395 340 368 322
9600 x x x x 475 412 x x
11200 x x x x x x 521 463

Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile

Load Load Load Load
3rd ROW PILES
(kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group
having 2D Pile having 3D Pile having 4D Pile having 5D Pile
Spacing Spacing Spacing Spacing
Total Load Applied to the
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
System (kN)
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
1600 83 58 75 58 60 48 45 36
3200 160 117 163 125 122 98 109 90
6400 312 242 311 243 296 245 277 241
8000 385 308 378 305 359 300 346 300
9600 x x x x 423 354 x x
11200 x x x x x x 480 422

Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load
4th ROW (kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group (kN) in Group having
PILES having 2D Pile having 3D Pile having 4D Pile 5D Pile Spacing
Spacing Spacing Spacing
Total Load Applied to
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Piles
the System (kN)
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
1600 104 73 87 69 69 57 52 44
3200 172 128 169 137 143 120 119 100
6400 296 240 314 260 299 265 288 254
8000 354 295 370 320 360 324 353 313
9600 x x x x 426 383 x x
11200 x x x x x x 478 432
Table 4 Load Distribution of Pile Groups with respect to Row Location and the Location Within the Row for
each Pile Group with different Pile Spacing (D = 0.50m, L =15m, E = 40Mpa)

Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile

Load / Load / Load / Load /
1st ROW PILES
Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile
Load (2D Pile Load (3D Pile Load (4D Pile Load (5D Pile
Spacing) Spacing) Spacing) Spacing)
Average Pile Load (kN)
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
100 1.38 1.07 1.14 0.93 0.79 0.69 0.60 0.53
200 1.85 1.24 1.39 1.14 0.91 0.81 0.71 0.63

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400 2.00 1.24 1.51 1.25 1.20 1.07 0.99 0.90

500 2.06 1.24 1.54 1.26 1.24 1.11 1.03 0.93
600 x x x x 1.29 1.15 x x
700 x x x x x x 1.11 1.03

Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile

2nd ROW PILES Load / Load / Load / Load /
Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile
Load (2D Pile Load (3D Pile Load (4D Pile Load (5D Pile
Spacing) Spacing) Spacing) Spacing)
Average Pile Load (kN)
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
100 0.88 0.63 0.82 0.63 0.61 0.50 0.47 0.38
200 0.94 0.71 0.89 0.70 0.66 0.55 0.56 0.47
400 0.94 0.75 0.88 0.72 0.80 0.68 0.73 0.64
500 0.93 0.78 0.87 0.74 0.79 0.68 0.74 0.64
600 x x x x 0.79 0.69 x x
700 x x x x x x 0.74 0.66

Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Individual Pile Individual Pile

3rd ROW PILES / Load / Load / Load /
Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile
Load (2D Pile Load (3D Pile Load (4D Pile Load (5D Pile
Spacing) Spacing) Spacing) Spacing)
Average Pile Load (kN)
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
100 0.83 0.58 0.75 0.58 0.60 0.48 0.45 0.36
200 0.80 0.59 0.82 0.63 0.61 0.49 0.55 0.45
400 0.78 0.61 0.78 0.61 0.74 0.61 0.69 0.60
500 0.77 0.62 0.76 0.61 0.72 0.60 0.69 0.60
600 x x x x 0.71 0.59 x x
700 x x x x x x 0.69 0.60

Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load Individual Pile Load
4th ROW PILES / / / /
Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile Average Pile
Load (2D Pile Load (3D Pile Load (4D Pile Load (5D Pile
Spacing) Spacing) Spacing) Spacing)
Average Pile Load (kN)
Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner Outer Inner
Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles Piles
100 1.04 0.73 0.87 0.69 0.69 0.57 0.52 0.44
200 0.86 0.64 0.85 0.69 0.72 0.60 0.60 0.50
400 0.74 0.60 0.79 0.65 0.75 0.66 0.72 0.64
500 0.71 0.59 0.74 0.64 0.72 0.65 0.71 0.63
600 x x x x 0.71 0.64 x x
700 x x x x x x 0.68 0.62

Table 5 Load Distribution Coefficient of Individual Piles with respect to Row Location and the
Location Within the Row for different Pile Spacings (D = 0.50m, L = 15m, E = 40Mpa)

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4. CONCLUSIONS
 As expected based on the elastic theory, the piles located on the edges of a row carry more load than
the inner piles for an applied load. Moreover, the front row piles (leading row piles) carried the greatest
load while the second row piles carried succesively smaller loads under the same load applied.
However, the third and the fourth row piles carried about the same load. In fact, the fourth row piles
carried slightly higher loads than the third row piles.
 Load developed in outer piles is about 1.25 times the load developed in inner piles. Moreover, although
this coefficient reaches to 1.5 or 2 for the leading row piles, coefficient of trailing row piles decreases
to 0.55 and 0.65 in some cases.
 The piles located on the edge of a row develop greater bending moment than the inner piles under the
same applied load. Lead row piles develop the maximum bending moment while the trailing row piles
develop somewhat smaller moments under the same applied load. However, at greater depths lead row
piles develop less moment than the trailing row piles.
 Under the same load applied, pile groups with 2D pile spacing resulted in the largest deflections,
whereas pile groups with 5D pile spacing resulted in the lowest deflections. Pile groups with 3D and
4D pile spacings on the other hand, produced intermediate levels of deflection as expected.
 Lateral deflection increased considerably as pile spacing decreased from 5D to 2D. In this study, it is
observed that for a 4x4 pile group under the same load, when pile spacing decreases from 5D to 4D,
maximum lateral deflection of the group increases about 33%. However, this increment of deflection is
calculated larger when pile spacing decreases from 4D to 3D and from 3D to 2D, namely 37.5% and
64% respectively and the deflections become nearly zero between 7 m and 9 m depths from the ground
surface.
 Pile spacing affects load distribution in pile groups significantly. As pile spacing increases, pile load
decreases. However, this type of behaviour can be seen more clearly in the first and the second row
piles. For the third and the fourth row piles, pile spacing becomes a less significant factor affecting the
load distribution in a pile group.
 As pile spacing increases, maximum bending moment occurred decreases under the same load applied.
However, in case of bending moment, the variation due to pile spacing can be clearly observed in all
piles and rows.
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8. Ilyas, L., Leung, C.F., Chow, Y.K., Budi, S.S. (2004). “Centrifuge model study of laterally loaded pile
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