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Seismic Response Analysis of Pile Foundations

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Abstract

A quasi-3D continuum method is presented for the dynamic nonlinear effective stress analysis of pile foundation under earthquake excitation. The method was validated using data from centrifuge tests on single piles and pile groups in liquefiable soils conducted at the University of California at Davis. Some results from this validation studies are presented. The API approach to pile response using p–y curves was evaluated using the quasi-3D method and the results from simulated earthquake tests on a model pile in a centrifuge. The recommended API stiffnesses appear to be much too high for seismic response analysis under strong shaking, but give very good estimates of elastic response.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to D. W. Wilson and B. Gohl for the centrifuge tests data. Financial support provided by UBC through University Graduate Fellowship and by NSERC through Research Assistantship to the first author is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd., 500-2955 Virtual Way, Vancouver, BC, V5M 4X6, Canada

    Thuraisamy Thavaraj

  2. University of British Columbia, 2002-6250 Applied Science Lane, UBC, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

    W. D. Liam Finn

  3. BC Hydro, A02-6911 Southpoint Drive, Burnaby, BC, V3N 4X8, Canada

    Guoxi Wu

Authors
  1. Thuraisamy Thavaraj
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  2. W. D. Liam Finn
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  3. Guoxi Wu
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Correspondence to Thuraisamy Thavaraj.

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Thavaraj, T., Liam Finn, W.D. & Wu, G. Seismic Response Analysis of Pile Foundations. Geotech Geol Eng 28, 275–286 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-010-9311-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-010-9311-y

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