A NUMERICAL STUDY OF JACKED-IN PILE INSTALLATION WITH TIME-DEPENDENT SET-UP EFFECTS IN FINE-GRAINED SOILS

Abstract

A simplified numerical technique known as the Press-Replace Method (PRM) has been used in this research to model jacked-in pile installation in PLAXIS 2D. Its feasibility is verified through the comparison with two published field case studies. The study has also demonstrated the importance of accounting for pile installation process and capturing the installation effects. Subsequently, the pile response during installation in silty/clayey grounds simulated through PRM technique under partial drainage conditions is examined. It seeks to interpret pile penetration process in particular to soil behaviour and penetration resistance when intermediate drainage conditions occur. The time dependent effects of pile set-up phenomenon are investigated, considering the permeability and permeability anisotropy of the soft ground. A comprehensive parametric study involving a suite of 247 finite element simulations was performed. The finite element results are then collated and processed using two statistical/optimization techniques to derive the semi-empirical correlations for estimating pile set-up.