Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Semi-analytical approach for the load-settlement response of a pile considering excavation effects

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Piles are often installed before tunnel excavation to support the tunnel structure. However, excavation inevitably causes disturbance to the soil below the excavation surface, significantly changing the soil mechanical behavior. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the excavation effects on pile load-settlement behavior. This study proposes a semi-analytical approach for estimating the load-settlement behavior of a pile beneath the excavation surface, that considers the excavation effects. Piezocone tests are performed in the Taihu tunnel region to evaluate the excavation effects on the soil mechanical properties. The results show that after excavation, the undrained shear strength of the soil decreases, while the soil effective friction angle remains unchanged. Thus, this study proposes using the soil effective friction angle before excavation to predict the pile load-settlement behavior after excavation. Then, the load-transfer method is employed to simulate the pile settlement behavior. Hyperbolic functions are used to describe the nonlinear loading and unloading pile-soil interface behavior. The proposed semi-analytical approach also considers the shear-induced elastic deformation of the surrounding soil. The predictions of the load-settlement behavior are compared to the results of pile load tests in the Taihu tunnel region, centrifuge model tests, and numerical investigations to validate this approach. The excellent agreement indicates that the proposed approach can reasonably predict the pile load-settlement behavior after excavation. As a case study, it is predicted that the ultimate capacity of a pile in the Taihu tunnel region is 4388 kN, reflecting a 10% loss of pile capacity due to excavation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data will be made available on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

A p :

Cross section area of pile

B :

Half of the excavation width

B q :

Normalized pore pressure

C c :

Soil cohesion

E p, E ur :

Elastic modulus of pile, unloading modulus of soil

H e :

Excavation depth

G s :

Shear modulus of soil

K 0, K p :

Lateral earth pressure coefficient, passive lateral earth pressure coefficient

L p :

Pile length

M :

Slop of critical state line

N, N Eur , N Gs :

Increasing rate of soil Young’s modulus, unloading modulus, and shear modulus.

N c, Nq :

Bearing capacity factor reflecting the effect of soil cohesion and lateral earth pressure

N kt :

Cone factor

OCR:

Overconsolidation ratio

p′:

Mean effective stress

p a :

Atmospheric pressure

Q t :

Normalized cone tip resistance

q :

Deviatoric stress

q b :

Unit pile base resistance

q c, q t1 :

Cone tip resistance, cone tip resistance normalized by atmospheric pressure

r 0 :

Radius of pile

R τ :

Raito of pile-soil interface friction angle to soil effective friction angle

S u :

Undrained shear strength of soil

S p :

Residual pile-soil relative displacement

u 0, u 2, u neg :

Static water pressure, pore pressure at shoulder, negative pore pressure

γ′, γ s, γ p :

Effective unit weight of soil, total unit weight of soil, unit weight of pile

σ v0, σ v0′, σ nb′:

Total overburden stress, effective overburden stress, mean effective stress at pile base

β :

Angle of plastification

φ′:

Effective friction angle of soil

Λ :

Plastic volumetric strain potential

τ :

Shear stress at pile-soil interface

υ s, υ p :

Poisson's ratio of soil, Poisson's ratio of pile

ω p, ω s, ω sτ :

Pile displacement, soil displacement, soil displacement caused by pile displacement

References

  1. Ashour M, Norris GM, Elfass S et al (2010) Mobilized side and tip resistances of piles in clay. Comput Geotech 37:858–866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.07.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Blaker O, DeGroot DJ (2020) Intact, disturbed, and reconstituted undrained shear behavior of low-plasticity natural silt. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ceccato F, Beuth L, Simonini P (2016) Analysis of piezocone penetration under different drainage conditions with the two-phase material point method. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001550

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Chang MF, Teh CI, Cao L (1999) Critical state strength parameters of saturated clays from the modified Cam clay model. Can Geotech J 36:876–890. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-36-5-876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Chen H, Li L, Li J et al (2021) A rigorous elastoplastic load-transfer model for axially loaded pile installed in saturated modified Cam-clay soils. Acta Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01248-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cheng K, Xu R, Ying H et al (2021) Observed performance of a 30.2 m deep-large basement excavation in Hangzhou soft clay. Tunn Undergr Sp Technol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.204.103872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Feng R, Zhang Q, Liu S (2020) Experimental study of the effect of excavation on existing loaded piles. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Guo YM, Zhang GZ, Liu SY (2020) Temperature effects on the in-situ mechanical response of clayey soils around an energy pile evaluated by CPTU. Eng Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105712

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Heidari P, Ghazavi M (2021) Statistical evaluation of CPT and CPTu based methods for prediction of axial bearing capacity of piles. Geotech Geol Eng 39:1259–1287. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01557-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Horng V, Tanaka H, Hirabayashi H et al (2011) Sample disturbance effects on undrained shear strengths-study from Takuhoku Site, Sapporo. Soils Found 51:203–213. https://doi.org/10.3208/sandf.51.203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Huang M, Jiu Y, Jiang J et al (2017) Nonlinear analysis of flexible piled raft foundations subjected to vertical loads in layered soils. Soils Found 57:632–644. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2017.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Janbu N (1976) Static bearing capacity of friction piles. In: Sechste Europaeische Konferenz Fuer Bodenmechanik Und Grundbau. 1

  13. Jian-feng Z, Hongyi Z, Zhang-you L et al (2020) Investigation of the mechanical behavior of soft clay under combined shield construction and ocean waves. Ocean Eng. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Korff M, Mair RJ, Tol V, Frits AF (2016) Pile-soil interaction and settlement effects induced by deep excavations. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lai F, Zhang N, Liu S et al (2021) Ground movements induced by installation of twin large diameter deeply-buried caissons: 3D numerical modeling. Acta Geotech 16:2933–2961. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01165-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lee CY (1993) Settlement of pile groups-practical approach. J Geotech Eng-ASCE 119:1449–1461. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9410(1993)119:9(1449)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lee CJ, Al-Tabbaa A, Bolton MD (2001) Development of tensile force in piles in swelling ground. In: Lee CF, Lau CK, Ng CW et al. (eds), pp 345–350

  18. Leung CF, Ong DE, Chow YK (2006) Pile behavior due to excavation-induced soil movement in clay. II: collapsed wall. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 132:45–53. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:1(45)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Li L, Li J, Sun D et al (2017) Semi-analytical approach for time-dependent load-settlement response of a jacked pile in clay strata. Can Geotech J 54:1682–1692. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0561

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Li H, Liu S, Tong L (2019) Evaluation of lateral response of single piles to adjacent excavation using data from cone penetration tests. Can Geotech J 56:236–248. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2018-0131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu X, Cai G, Liu L et al (2021) Improved p-y curve models for large diameter and super-long cast-in-place piles using piezocone penetration test data. Comput Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103911

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Liu S, Li H, Tong L (2021) Simulation of pile cap contribution to the lateral pile performance due to adjacent excavation. Acta Geotech 16:1895–1907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-020-01024-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Mariano AD, Amoroso S, Arroyo M et al (2019) SDMT-based numerical analyses of deep excavation in soft soil. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001993

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Mayne PW (2007) Cone penetration testing, vol 368. Transportation Research Board

    Google Scholar 

  25. Mu L, Chen W, Huang M et al (2020) Hybrid method for predicting the response of a pile-raft foundation to adjacent braced excavation. Int J Geomech. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Ng CWW, Liu GB, Li Q (2013) Investigation of the long-term tunnel settlement mechanisms of the first metro line in Shanghai. Can Geotech J 50:674–684. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2012-0298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Ng CWW, Shakeel M, Wei J et al (2021) Performance of existing piled raft and pile group due to adjacent multipropped excavation: 3D centrifuge and numerical modeling. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Peng SY, Ng CWW, Zheng G (2014) The dilatant behaviour of sand-pile interface subjected to loading and stress relief. Acta Geotech 9:425–437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-013-0216-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Randolph MF, Wroth CP (1979) An analysis of the vertical deformation of pile groups. Géotechnique 29:423–439. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1979.29.4.423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Senneset K, Sandven R, Janbu N (1989) Evaluation of soil parameters from piezocone tests. Transp Res Record 24–37

  31. T Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development, P. S. R. O. C. (2016) Technical code for testing of building foundation piles. JGJ 106–2014. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press

  32. Yang J, Tham LG, Lee PKK et al (2006) Behaviour of jacked and driven piles in sandy soil. Geotechnique 56:245–259. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2006.56.4.245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zhang Q, Liu S, Zhang S et al (2016) Simplified non-linear approaches for response of a single pile and pile groups considering progressive deformation of pile-soil system. Soils Found 56:473–484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2016.04.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Zheng G, Diao Y, Ng CWW (2011) Parametric analysis of the effects of stress relief on the performance and capacity of piles in nondilative soils. Can Geotech J 48:1354–1363. https://doi.org/10.1139/T11-043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Zheng G, Peng SY, Ng CWW et al (2012) Excavation effects on pile behaviour and capacity. Can Geotech J 49:1347–1356. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Zhu Jian-feng, Zhao Hongyi, Luo Zhang-you et al. (2020) Investigation of the mechanical behavior of soft clay under combined shield construction and ocean waves. Ocean Eng 206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.107250

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.41972269), the Jiangsu Provincial Transportation Engineering Construction Bureau (CX-2019GC02), the Graduate Student Scientific Research Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (KYCX21_0121), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2242022k30055). We would like to acknowledge Miss. Kiki for the language editing and proofreading of abstract. We acknowledge Nature Research Editing Service for linguistic editing and proofreading during the preparation of this manuscript. The authors would also grateful for Mr. Wei Duan at the Taiyuan University of Technology, Mr. Shaoyun Pu at the Southeast University for the advice of this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, School of Transportation, Southeast University, Dongnandaxue road 2#, Jingning District, Nanjing, 211189, People’s Republic of China

    Taishan Lu, Songyu Liu, Kai Wu, Guojun Cai & Zan Li

  2. Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Urbanunderground Engineering & Environmental Safety, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, People’s Republic of China

    Taishan Lu, Songyu Liu, Kai Wu, Guojun Cai & Zan Li

Authors
  1. Taishan Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Songyu Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kai Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Guojun Cai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Songyu Liu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

1.1 Expressions of matrices in the semi-analytical approach

$${\mathbf{K}}_{1} = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c} { - \lambda_{1,0} h^{2} - 2} & 2 & {} & {} & {} & {} & {} \\ 1 & { - \lambda_{1,1} h^{2} - 2} & 1 & {} & {} & {} & {} \\ {} & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots & {} & {} & {} \\ {} & {} & 1 & { - \lambda_{1,i} h^{2} - 2} & 1 & {} & {} \\ {} & {} & {} & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots & {} \\ {} & {} & {} & {} & 1 & { - \lambda_{1,n - 1} h^{2} - 2} & 1 \\ {} & {} & {} & {} & {} & 2 & { - \lambda_{1,n} h^{2} - 2} \\ \end{array} } \right)_{n + 1 \times n + 1}$$
$${\mathbf{F}}_{1} = \left[ { - \lambda_{1,0} h^{2} (\omega_{s0,0} + \omega_{s\tau 1,0} ), \ldots , - \lambda_{1,i} h^{2} (\omega_{s0,i} + \omega_{s\tau 1,i} ), \ldots , - \lambda_{1,n - 1} h^{2} (\omega_{s0,n - 1} + \omega_{s\tau 1,n - 1} ), - \lambda_{1,n} h^{2} (\omega_{s0,n} + \omega_{s\tau 1,n} )} \right]$$
$${\mathbf{K}}_{2} = \left( {\begin{array}{*{20}c} { - \lambda_{2,1} h^{2} - 2} & 1 & {} & {} & {} & {} & {} \\ 1 & { - \lambda_{2,2} h^{2} - 2} & 1 & {} & {} & {} & {} \\ {} & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots & {} & {} & {} \\ {} & {} & 1 & { - \lambda_{2,i} h^{2} - 2} & 1 & {} & {} \\ {} & {} & {} & \ddots & \ddots & \ddots & {} \\ {} & {} & {} & {} & 1 & { - \lambda_{2,n - 1} h^{2} - 2} & 1 \\ {} & {} & {} & {} & {} & 2 & { - \lambda_{2,n} h^{2} - 2 - \frac{{2h\kappa_{b} }}{{E_{p} A_{p} }}} \\ \end{array} } \right)_{n \times n}$$
$${\mathbf{F}}_{2} = \left[ {\lambda_{2,1} h^{2} (\omega_{sp,1} - \omega_{s\tau 2,1} + S_{p,1} ) - \omega_{0} ,\lambda_{2,2} h^{2} (\omega_{sp,2} - \omega_{s\tau 2,2} + S_{p,2} ),...,\lambda_{2,i} h^{2} (\omega_{sp,i} - \omega_{s\tau 2,i} + S_{p,i} ),...,\lambda_{2,n} h^{2} (\omega_{sp,n} - \omega_{s\tau 2,n} + S_{p,n} )} \right]$$

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, T., Liu, S., Wu, K. et al. Semi-analytical approach for the load-settlement response of a pile considering excavation effects. Acta Geotech. 18, 1179–1197 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01654-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01654-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation