Three-Dimensional Analysis For The Effect of Piles Geometry and Arrangement On The Dynamic Response of Piled Raft Foundation

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Journal of Engineering and Sustainable Development Vol. 22, No. 05, September 2018 www.jeasd.

org (ISSN 2520-0917)

Vol. 22, No.05, September 2018


ISSN 2520-0917
https://doi.org/10.31272/jeasd.2018.5.6

Three-Dimensional Analysis for the Effect of Piles Geometry and


Arrangement on the Dynamic Response of Piled Raft Foundation

Dr. Mahmood Rashid Al-Qayssi1, Dr. Saad Faik Al-Wakel2, *Ihab Ghaleb Abdulwahhab3

1) Assist. Prof., Building and Construction Engineering Dep., University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
2) Assist. Prof., Building and Construction Engineering Dep., University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.
3) M.Sc. student, Building and Construction Engineering Dep., University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract: In the present study, three-dimensional analysis is presented to investigate the effect of pile
dimensions and configuration on the dynamic response of piled raft foundation subjected to vertical
vibration. The analysis considered several factors effecting on the maximum amplitude of vertical
displacement of deep foundation such as length, diameter, number of piles and spacing between piles.
Furthermore, a validation for an experimental piled raft models depending on a scale factor of (20) using
(Plaxis 3D) computer software is presented. The sand is simulated using (mohr-coloumb) model, while
the concrete is simulated as linear elastic material. It has been found that the increasing length and
diameter of piles lead to decrease the maximum amplitude of displacement. On the other hand, the results
showed that the increasing number of piles and increasing the spacing between piles can minimize the
dynamic response of the foundation.
Keywords: Amplitude of Displacement, Dynamic Response, Piled Raft, Pile Configration.

‫تحليل ثالثً األبعاد لتأثير خواص الركائز على اإلستجابة الحركية ألساس حصيري مذعم بالركائز‬
‫مطمور فً الرمل‬
‫ َتى إعتعشاض تحهُم ثالثٍ األبعاد نذساعت تاثُش أبعاد وتشتُب انشكائض عهً اإلعتدابت انحشكُت العاط‬,‫ فٍ هزِ انذساعت‬:‫الخالصة‬
‫ انتحهُم َتضًٍ عذة عىايم تأثش عهً انغعت انقصىي نإلصاحت انعًىدَت نألعاط انعًُق‬.ٌ‫حصُشٌ يذعى بانشكائض يعشض إلهتضاص عًىد‬
‫ عالوة عهً رنك َتى أعتعشاض تحقق نًُارج عًهُت ألعظ حصُشَت‬.‫ عذد انشكائض و انًغافت بٍُ انشكائض‬, ‫ قطش انشكائض‬,‫يثم طىل انشكائض‬
‫ انشيم تًت يحاكاتت كًُىرج‬.)Plaxis 3D( ٍ‫) بئعتخذاو انبشَايح انحاعىب‬02( ِ‫يذعًت بانشكائض إعتًادا عهً يعايم قُاط يقذاس‬
ٌ‫ وخذ إٌ صَادة طىل وقطش انشكائض َؤدٌ إنً َقصا‬.)Linear Elastic( ‫) بًُُا انخشعاَت تًت يحاكاتها كًُىرج‬Mohr-Coloumb(
‫ انُتائح بُُت إٌ صَادة عذد انشكائض وصَادة انًغافت بٍُ انشكائض فٍ األعاط يٍ انًًكٍ أٌ تقهم‬,‫ يٍ َاحُت أخشي‬.‫انغعت انقصىي نإلصاحت‬
.‫اإلعتدابت انحشكُت نألعاط‬

1. Introduction
Finite Element Method (FEM) is the most commonly accepted analysis tool for
solution of engineering problems. Effective pre and post processing capabilities make
modeling and interpretation of results simple. It is relatively easy to incorporate changes
if any repetition of the analysis is required without much loss of time. Viewing of

*Corresponding Author eng.imahi@gmail.com


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animated modes, shapes and dynamic response makes understanding of the dynamic
behavior of the machine foundation system, relatively simpler.
There are many issues that need careful examination before using finite element
computer software such as modeling capabilities, analysis capabilities and processing
but the most important one is the validation of results, which is necessary before
accepting the results of numerical analysis [1].
Manna and Baidya, [2] studied the influence of nonlinearity on the dynamic response
of cast-in-situ reinforced concrete piles subjected to strong vertical excitation. Forced
vibration test of single piles (L/D = 10, 15 and 20) and group piles of (2×2) (S/D = 2, 3
and 4 for each L/D ratio) were conducted in the field for two different embedded
conditions of pile cap. From the measured nonlinear response curves, the effective pile-
soil system mass, stiffness and damping were determined and the nonlinear response
curves were back-calculated using the theory of nonlinear vibration. The test results
were compared with the continuum approach of Novak with dynamic interaction factor
approach using both linear and linear-equivalent numerical methods. Reasonable match
between the measured and predicted response was found for linear-equivalent methods
by introducing a weak boundary-zone around the pile to approximately account for the
nonlinear behavior of pile-soil system. The test data were used to establish the empirical
relationship in order to estimate the extent of soil separation around the pile with soil
under vertical vibration.
Padron et al., [9] studied the accuracy and effectiveness of the superposition method
to assess the coefficients of the dynamic stiffness and damping of embedded footings
supported by vertical piles set in uniform visco-elastic soil. Comparison between these
coefficients of piled embedded footings and those obtained by superposing the separate
coefficients of the corresponding pile groups and embedded footings reveals that the
average of the relative differences is about (10–30%). The results were presented in a
set of normalized charts and simple expressions, which can be used to estimate the
dynamic stiffness and damping of piled embedded footings, on a condition that the
coefficients of the two separate components were known. Since such impedance
functions for both embedded footings and pile groups were available for a wide range of
cases, the superposition approach studied here was attractive.
Abdulrasool, [3] studied the dynamic analysis of deep foundations on uniform dry
sand experimentally and numerically by the finite element method. The numerical
analysis involves the displacement response under the effect of dynamic loads of
harmonic vertical mode of vibration. The aim of the study is to analyze the dynamic
response of machine foundations, in addition to simulate the machine on deep
foundation numerically by using the finite element method. It was concluded that when
the piles length and the number of piles increases will lead to decrease in the
displacement response of the pile foundation because of the increase in the mass of
foundation. It was found that the dynamic response of the deep foundation is influenced
by the spacing between piles also.

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2. Numerical Analysis
2.1. Computer Software
Computer packages based on finite element method is widely used to simulate
geotechnical engineering complex problems. In this study, (Plaxis 3D) has been used to
simulate the piled raft foundation with four piles in order to study the effect of various
factors on the dynamic response of the foundation.
(PLAXIS 3D) is a finite element package that has been developed specifically for the
analysis of deformation and stability in geotechnical engineering. The simple graphical
input procedures enable a quick generation of complex finite element models, and the
enhanced output facilities provide a detailed presentation of computational results. The
calculation itself is fully automated and based on complex numerical procedures [4].

2.2. Three-Dimensional Dynamic Analysis of Piled Raft Foundation


In this analysis, the effect of vibrating machine on the dynamic response of the deep
foundation is investigated. The piled raft foundation with four piles has been simulated
in three dimensional modeling. Furthermore, the experimental model of Abdulwahhab
[10] is transformed to a prototype model depending on a scale factor (n) of (20), which
is recommended to use a scale factor greater than (10) to eliminate the overestimated
results [5]. "Table 1" illustrates the scales of centrifugal modeling which is adopted in
this analysis.

Table 1. Scales for Experimental modeling [6]


Quantity Full Scale Experimental Model
Linear dimension 1 1/n
Area 1 1/n2
Volume 1 1/n3
Time 1 1/n
Mass 1 1/n3
Force 1 1/n2
Density 1 1
Frequency 1 n

2.2.1 Soil Geometry and Properties


The scaled dimension of the soil are (15 × 15) m and the depth of the soil is (11) m
is specified by single borehole at the first corner of the model. The boreholes are
locations in the model at which the information on the soil profile. If multiple boreholes
are specified, the program automatically interpolates between the boreholes [6]. "Fig. 1"
shows the soil model.

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Figure 1. Soil model

In order to simulate the soil behavior, an appropriate material model and parameters
must be assigned to the geometry. In (Plaxis 3D) soil properties are entered in material
data sets. The (Mohr-Coloumb) model is chosen for the soil. The material properties of
the soil which are taken from the experimental model are listed in "Table 2".

Table 2. Soil material properties


Parameter Value Unit
Material model Mohr- Coulomb -
Drainage type Drained -
Dry unit weight 16.87 kN/m3
Voids ratio 0.535 -
3
Young's modulus 30 × 10 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio 0.28 -
Cohesion 0.3 kN/m2
0
Friction angle 37.5
Lateral earth pressure
0.4* -
coefficient ( K0)
*(The coefficient K0 is obtained automatically using the following equation Ko=1-sinφ)

2.2.2 Definition of the Structural Elements


The deep foundation consists of two parts; the first is the pile cap which is simulated
as volume with the dimensions of (4 × 4) m and a thickness of (0.8) m. The volume is
created by extruding a created surface which has the pile cap of the same dimensions
using the extrude tool. The soil material data sets can be assigned to volumes. The data
set of the concrete listed in "Table 3" is assigned to the pile cap volume.

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Table 3. Concrete material properties

Parameter Value Unit


Material model Linear Elastic -
Drainage type Non-Porous -
Dry unit weight 24 kN/m3
Young's modulus 27.6 × 10 6 kN/m2
Poisson's ratio 0.1 -

The second part of the deep foundation is the four piles which have the same
dimensions of (0.42) m diameter and (8) m length. Each pile is simulated as embedded
pile, and the skin resistance is simulated as linear. The input is defined by the skin
resistance at the pile top (Ttop max) and at the pile bottom (Tbot max). This way of defining
the pile skin resistance is mainly applicable to piles in a homogeneous soil [6]. The tip
bearing is defined by (Fmax). The total pile bearing capacity (Npile) is given by:

Npile = Fmax + 0.5 L (Ttop max + Tbot max) (1)

where: L is the pile length.

The piles properties are shown in "Table 4".

Table 4. The Piles properties


Parameter Value Unit
Young's modulus 27.6 × 10 6 kN/m2
Unite weight 24 kN/m3
Predefined pile type Massive Circular -
Diameter 0.42 m
Skin resistance type Linear
Ttop max 0 kN/m
Tbot max 94.6 kN/m
Fmax 1589 kN

The type of the connection of the top of the pile is selected as a rigid, which makes
the rotation and displacement are both coupled with the rotation and displacement of the
structural or soil element. On the other hand, the type of the connection at the bottom of
the pile is selected as free which allows the connection point to rotate and moving
relatively to the soil.
The pile interaction with the surrounding soil is simulating by special interface
elements. "Fig. 2" shows the simulated piled raft foundation with four piles.

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Figure 2. The simulated piled raft foundation with four piles

2.2.3. Definition of the static and dynamic loads


In this part, the static load which represents the weight of machine and the dynamic
load which represents the vertical excitation due to the rotating mass are defined. First
of all, the surface representing the base of the machine is created on the top of the pile
cap volume with dimensions of (2 × 2) m, subsequently the static and the dynamic loads
are created on the cap as shown in "Fig. 3".

Figure 3. The surface of machine base

The static load is representing the scaled weight of the machine, which is defined as
surface load on the base of the machine, whereas the dynamic load is calculated due to
The scaled parameters which is defined using a harmonic load multiplayer as shown in
"Fig. 4".

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Figure 4. The harmonic load.

2.2.4. Mesh Generation


The soil volume is modelled using (10 node) tetrahedral elements which are created
in an automatic mesh generation procedure. The geometry is divided into volume
elements and structure elements if excited. The mesh generation takes in account the
position of the volumes in the geometry model [7]. Furthermore, the exact position of
loads and structures is taken in consideration in the finite element meshing. A local
refinement is considered in the pile cap volume. The created mesh consists of (2871
node). Special boundary conditions called viscous boundaries have been defined to
account the reflected waves from the model boundaries. The finite element
discretization of the piled raft model is shown in "Fig. 5".

2.2.4. Performing Calculations


The calculations consist of multiple phases defined due to sequence of structures
construction and loading in the staged construction mode. This case includes initial
phase, static loading phase and dynamic loading phase.

Figure 5. The finite element discretization of the piled raft model.

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The Initial phase represents the initial conditions of the soil, which include the initial
geometry configuration and the initial stress state. The soil and the pile cap volumes in
addition to the embedded piles are activated in this phase to simulate the initial
condition of the model. Ko procedure is selected as calculation type for this phase. The
static and dynamic loads are deactivated during this calculation phase. The static load
which represents the weight of the machine is activated in the static loading phase and
Ko procedure is also selected as calculation type.
The dynamic load is activated in the next phase and the calculation type is defined as
dynamic with a time interval of (5 seconds) consists of (256 step) of calculations.
Special boundary conditions have been defined to account the reflected waves from the
model boundaries.
After the creation of the phases, the node at the center edge of the pile cap is selected
to be considered in the curves of the results then the calculation process is executed.

3. Results and Discussion


3.1. Validation of the Experimental Model
The piled raft model and embedded piled raft model with four piles configuration at
the frequency of (52.3 Hz) have been simulated in three dimensional finite element
modeling using (Plaxis 3D) software in order to validate the experimental model using a
scale factor of (20). Novak, (1987) recommended to use a scale factor greater than (10)
to eliminate the overestimated results. The maximum amplitude of dynamic force
(Fdy.max.) equals to (14.8 kN).
The Predicted displacement with time of the piled raft model and embedded piled
raft model are shown in "Fig. 6" and "Fig. 7", respectively. A good agreement has been
achieved between the predicted and the measured results from Abdulwahhab, 2017 [10]
as shown in "Table 5". This is means that the numerical modeling which is adopted in
this study to simulate the machine foundations on dry soil is satisfied.

Figure 6. Predicted vertical displacement with time for the piled raft model with four piles configuration.

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Figure 7. Predicted vertical displacement with time for the embedded piled raft model with four piles
configuration.

Table 5. The measured and predicted amplitude of displacement of the piled raft foundation.

Type of Foundation Measured Amplitude Predicted Amplitude


(mm) (mm)
Piled Raft 0.07 0.069
Embedded Piled Raft 0.061 0.063

3.2. Effect of Pile Length on the Dynamic Response


Three different lengths of pile models are considered (4m, 6m and 8m) to investigate
the effect of the pile length on the dynamic responses of the foundation. During this
analysis the skin friction and the end bearing were recalculated due to the change in the
piles length. The other parameters are kept constant. The results of the dynamic
response of the piled raft model for different pile lengths are shown in "Fig. 8", while
"Table 6" shows the maximum amplitude of the vertical displacement and the
percentage of reduction due to increasing the pile length with respect to using (4m) piles
length.

Figure 8. Effect of the pile length on the dynamic response.

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Table 6. Percentage of reduction in the dynamic response due to increasing the piles length.

Piles Length Increase in the Max. Amplitude of Percentage of


(mm) Pile Length (%) Displacement (mm) Reduction (%)
4 - 0.116 -
6 50 0.092 21
8 100 0.069 41

Figure 9. Reduction in the maximum amplitude of displacement due to increasing the piles length.

From the results, it can be observed that the maximum amplitude of vertical
displacement is decreased linearly by increasing the piles length as shown in "Fig. 9".
This reduction occurred due to the mass excess of the system from the increased piles
length which led to increase the damping of the system.

3.3. Effect of Pile Diameter on the Dynamic Response


Three pile diameters are considered in this study (0.3m, 0.42m and 0.54m) to
investigate the effect of increasing the piles diameter on the maximum amplitude of
displacement due to dynamic loading. The skin friction and the end bearing are
recalculated due to the change in the pile diameter. The piles length is (8m) for all
models and the other parameters are kept constant. "Fig. 10" shows the dynamic
response of the deep foundation with three different pile diameters. The maximum
amplitude of displacement and the percentage of reduction due to increasing the piles
diameter are illustrated in "Table 7".
The results showed that increasing the piles diameter decreases the maximum
amplitude of displacement due to the increase in the weight of the system as a result to
the enlargement of the piles cross sectional area. As the piles diameter decreases, the
reduction in the maximum amplitude of displacement decreases as shown in "Fig. 11".

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Figure 10. Effect of the piles diameter on the dynamic response.

Table 7. Percentage of reduction in the dynamic response due to increasing the piles diameter.
Piles Diameter Increase in the Max. Amplitude of Percentage of
(mm) Pile Diameter (%) Displacement (mm) Reduction (%)
0.3 - 0.073 -
0.42 40 0.069 5.5
0.54 80 0.067 8.2

Figure 11. Reduction in the maximum amplitude of displacement due to increasing piles diameter.

3.4. Effect of Number of Piles on the Dynamic Response


To study the effect of number of piles in the foundation on the dynamic response,
three models have been analyzed numerically with different pile number (Single pile, 4
piles and 9 piles). The length and diameter of the piles, pile cap dimensions and the
material properties are kept constant for all models. "Fig. 12" shows the dynamic

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response for the three models. The maximum amplitude of the vertical displacement and
the percentage of reduction due to increasing number of piles are shown in "Table 8".

Figure 12. Effect of the number of piles on the dynamic response.

Table 8. The maximum amplitude of displacement and the percentage of


reduction due to increasing the number of piles.
Number of Max. Amplitude of Percentage of
Piles Displacement (mm) Reduction (%)
1 0.107 -
4 0.069 36
9 0.063 41

From the dynamic response results it can be seen that the maximum amplitude of
the vertical displacement for the four piles model is less than the single pile model.
Moreover, the nine piles model showed a small reduction than the four piles model as
shown in "Fig.13". This behavior can be related to the interaction of the waves
transmitted from the piles.

Figure 13. Reduction in the maximum amplitude of displacement due to increasing the number of piles.

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3.5. Effect of Spacing between Piles on the Dynamic Response


When a group of piles is pushed vertically, it is possible that the vertical stiffness of
the system be less than the sum of the stiffness of individual soil-pile systems. This is
due to the piles interaction which occurs when the spacing between piles is small. For
pile design, the group effects vanish for in-line piles at spacing equal to five diameters
or more [8]. According to spacing to diameter ratio which considered in this part, three
values of spacing to diameter ratio are considered (3.6D, 5D and 6.4D). Dimensions of
the piles are unchanged with (8m) length and (0.42m) diameter and other parameters are
kept constant.
"Fig.14" illustrates the dynamic response for piled raft foundation with different
spacing between piles. The maximum amplitude of displacement and percentage of
reduction due to increase the spacing between piles is shown in "Table 9".
From the results it can be observed that the maximum amplitude of the displacement
is decreased with the increase of spacing between piles. The reduction decreases by
using spacing between piles more than (5D) compared to the closely spaced piles due to
the interaction of the piles as shown in "Fig.15".

Table 9. The maximum amplitude of displacement and percentage of reduction


due to increase the spacing between piles.

Spacing between Max. Amplitude of Percentage of


Piles (D) Displacement (mm) Reduction (%)
3.6 0.077 -
5 0.071 8
6.4 0.069 10

Figure 14. Effect of the spacing between piles on the dynamic response.

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Figure 15. Reduction in the maximum amplitude of displacement due


to increasing the spacing between piles

4. Conclusions
From the present study, several conclusions have been made:
1. A good agreement has been achieved between the predicted and the measured
results. This is mean that the numerical modeling which is adopted in this study to
simulate the machine foundations on dry soil is satisfied.
2. The maximum amplitude of displacement is decreased linearly by increasing the
piles length due to the mass excess of the system. The increased piles length led to
increase the damping of the system.
3. The increase of piles diameter led to decrease the maximum amplitude of
displacement. Moreover, as the piles diameter decreases, the reduction in the
maximum amplitude of displacement decreases.
4. The maximum amplitude of the vertical displacement for the four piles model is less
than that of single pile model. On the other hand, the nine piles model showed
smaller reduction than the four piles model.
5. The maximum amplitude of the displacement is decreased with the increase in the
spacing between piles. The reduction decreases by using spacing between piles more
than (5D) compared to the closely spaced piles.

Abbreviations
A list of symbols should be inserted before the references if such a list is needed
L Pile length
D Pile Diameter
S Spacing between piles
φ friction angle
Ttop max Skin resistance at the pile top
Tbottom max Skin resistance at the pile bottom
Fmax Tip bearing

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K0 Lateral earth pressure coefficient


Fdy.max. The maximum amplitude of dynamic force
n Scale factor

5. References
1. Bhatia, K.G. (2008). "Foundations for Industrial Machines" D-CAD Publishers,
158, Vardhman Grand Plaza, Mangalam Place, Sector 3, Rohini, New Delhi I
10085.
2. Manna, B. and Baidya D. K. (2010). "Dynamic nonlinear response of pile
foundations under vertical vibration-Theory versus experiment" Elsevier Ltd, Soil
Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, Volume 30, Issue 6, June 2010, pp 456-469.
3. Abdulrasool, A. S. (2012). "Vibration analysis of deep foundations in dry sand"
M.Sc. thesis, University of technology, Baghdad.
4. Plaxis 3D, (2013). "Reference manual" pp 11.
5. Novak, M. (1987). "Experimental Studies of the Dynamic Behavior of Piles and pile
Groups" Dynamic Behavior of Foundations and Buried Structures, Elsevier Applied
Science Publishers, London, pp. 156.
6. Plaxis 3D, (2013). "Tutorial manual" pp 10.
7. Plaxis 3D, (2013). "Scientific manual" pp 40.
8. Chowdhury, I. and Dasgupta, S. (2009). "Dynamics of Structure and Foundation – A
Unified Approach" CRC Press-Balkema, London.
9. Padron L. A., Mylonakis G. and Beskos D. E. (2012), "Simple Superposition
Approach for Dynamic Analysis of Piled Embedded Footings", International Journal
for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Vol. 36, pp. 1523–1534.
10. Abdulwahhab I. G., (2017) "Behavior of Machinery Piled Raft Foundation within
Cohesionless Soil" M.Sc. Thesis, University of Technology, Baghdad.

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