Investigation of soil–pile–structure interaction induced by vertical loads and tunnelling. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franza, A.; Zheng, C.; Marshall, A.M.; Jimenez, R.
• Is Part Of: Computers and geotechnics. Volume 139(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Piles -- Tunnelling -- Soil-structure-interaction -- Building -- Deformations; Engineering geology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Soil mechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Rock mechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 624.1510285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-352X

Abstract

Abstract: The response of pile groups and piled structures to vertical and tunnelling-induced loads is studied. A two-stage model is adopted that can efficiently consider external actions, greenfield tunnelling movements, superstructure stiffness, ultimate pile shaft and base stresses, pile-soil interactions in uniform or layered soils, and local soil behaviour (as either linear elastic, elastic perfectly-plastic, or nonlinear). Several scenarios are analysed: namely, piles subjected to vertical loads; piles and piled structures that are affected by tunnelling induced ground movements. Model results for piles under vertical loads compare well with field and other analytical models, confirming the robustness of the model. For tunnelling adjacent to or beneath single piles and pile groups, the impact of layered soils, soil yielding, and hyperbolic transfer mechanisms are shown to be significant, indicating that these aspects should be considered in risk assessments when using simplified models. Analyses of tunnelling beneath free-head piles and piled equivalent beams (describing flexible slabs or stiff buildings) confirm that pile-foundation connections and superstructures decrease tunnelling-induced displacements and deformations at the surface level; however, their action can also worsen the foundation distress with respect to force-moment structural capacity. Considering that the envelopes of fully-flexible and perfectly rigid superstructures will not always be conservative, soil-pile-structure interaction models are recommended for design.