11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

Numerical analysis of the behavior of piles in saturated soils under

seismic loading
I. Shahrour & R. Ousta
Laboratoire de Mcanique de Lille, Dpartement Sols Structures, Universit des Sciences et Technologies
de Lille - EUDIL, 59 655 Villeneuve dAscq cedex, France

Keywords: Bending Moment, Elastoplastic, Finite Element, Group, Liquefaction, Piles, Saturated,
Seismic, Soils

ABSTRACT: This paper includes a numerical study of the behavior of piles used in saturated soils.
It is carried out using a three-dimensional finite element modeling based on the (u p) formulation
(displacement for the solid phase and pore pressure for the fluid phase). A cyclic elastoplastic con-
stitutive relation involving both isotropic and kinematic hardening was used for the description of
the soil behavior. In the first part of this paper, we present the numerical model used in this study;
then we present results obtained with a single pile and a group of piles. Attention will be paid to the
influence of soil liquefaction on the behavior of piles.

1 INTRODUCTION
In the seismic design of piles in saturated soils, we have to take into consideration the evolution of
the pore pressure during seismic loading which may induce an important degradation of the soil
stiffness, and consequently an important increase of the internal forces in piles (Miyamoto et al.
1992, Yao & Kobayashi 1992, Kagawa 1992). In order to investigate the influence of the pore
pressure on the behavior of piles, we have carried out a numerical study using a three-dimensional
finite element model based on the (u p) formulation proposed by Zienkiewicz et al. (1980). As
the volumetric deformation of soils greatly affects the pore pressure build-up during cyclic loading,
a cyclic elastoplastic model with both kinematic and isotropic hardening was used for the descrip-
tion of the soil behavior. After an analysis of a reference case, we present a study of the influence
of some parameters (soil saturation, soil permeability, loading amplitude, loading frequency and
piles spacing) on piles behavior under seismic loading.

2 NUMERICAL MODEL
This study was carried out using a 3D finite element modeling. The soil-fluid coupling is modeled
using the (u p) approximation proposed by Zienkiewicz et al. (1980) for earthquake problems in-
volving low frequencies. The soil behavior is described by the cyclic elastoplastic constitutive rela-
tion MODSOL (Shahrour and Chehade 1992, Shahrour et al. 1995). This model is based on the
concept of bounding surface (Dafalias & Popov 1975, Mroz & Pietruszczak 1983) with two fami-
lies of surfaces. The first one, called the bounding surface, is intended to control the domain of
virgin loading. The second one, called cyclic surface, encloses the domain of elasticity. The
bounding surface involves isotropic hardening, while the cyclic surface involves both isotropic and
kinematic hardening. The elastic part of this model is supposed to be non-linear. This model was
verified on centrifuge tests performed within VELACS project (Shahrour et al. 1995).

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

3 ANALYSIS OF THE BEHAVIOR OF A SINGLE PILE

3.1 Reference Example

The numerical model was used to analyze the behavior of the pile illustrated in figure 1. The soil is
supposed to be loose with a permeability k = 0.001m/s. In figure 2 we give the simulation of a cy-
clic triaxial test under undrained conditions with the set of parameters used for the description of
the soil behavior. It can be observed that cyclic loading induces an increase of the pore pressure
which leads to liquefaction. The seismic loading is modeled by a harmonic acceleration whose fre-
quency and amplitude are respectively f = 2Hz, a = 0.1g. The finite element mesh used in numeri-
cal simulation is illustrated in figure 3. It involves 852 (20-node) elements.

16m
(p = 0)

z Pile Soil
E p = 24 000 MPa sat = 1 900 kg/m3
p = 2 500 kg/m3 k = 0.001cm/s cm/s
10 m
p = 0,3

5m

Figure 1. Reference example Geometry and mechanical properties.

80 80

60 60
Deviator (kPa)

Deviator (kPa)

40 40

20 20

0 0

-20 -20

-40 -40
-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 0 20 40 60 80 100
Axial strain (%) M ean pressure (kPa)

Figure 2. Numerical simulation of a triaxial undrained test with the set of parameters used in the reference
example.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

16 m

4m

15 m

Figure 3. Mesh used in the finite element calculation (852 20-node elements).

0 0

0,2 0,2
t=1 s
t=2 s
t=4 s
0,4 t=5 s 0,4
z/L

z/L

0,6 0,6

z L z
0,8 0,8

1 1
0 0,5 1 1,5 0 0,5 1 1,5
p p
'v0 'v0

Figure 4. Reference example Evolution of the pore pressure: (a) soil massif with the pile, (b) free field.

Figure 4a shows the evolution of the pore pressure excess during loading. We observe an in-
crease of the ratio p/v0 (p and v0 denote respectively the pore pressure excess and the initial
vertical effective stress) particularly in the zone located within the interval [0.2L ; 0.4L] where this
ratio approaches the unity which indicates liquefaction. A comparison of the distribution of the
pore pressure excess with that obtained in the free field (figure 4b) shows that the presence of the
pile slightly affects the pore pressure evolution. Figures 5a 5b et show respectively the envelop of
the bending moment and axial force in the pile. The maximum of the bending moment in the pile is
observed at a depth z = 0.3L, it is equal to 31kN.m. It can be noted that the seismic loading induces
compression stresses in the pile due to the soil settlement.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

0
0

0.2
0,2

0.4
0,4
z/L

z/L
0.6
0,6

z L 0.8
0,8

1
1
0 10 20 30 40 -15 -10 -5 0
N (kN .m)
Mmax (kN.m) m ax

(a)
(b)
Figure 5. Reference example Internal forces induced in the pile: (a) bending moment, (b) axial force.

0.2

0.4
z/L

0.6

0.8 Saturated sand

Dry sand

1
0 10 20 30 40
M (kN .m)
m ax

Figure 6. Influence of the soil saturation on the bending moment induced in the pile.

3.2 Parametric study

3.2.1 Influence of the soil saturation
In order to study the influence of the soil saturation on the pile behavior, a second calculation was
conducted with a dry sand using the set of parameters of the reference example. Figure 6 shows the

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

obtained results. It can be observed that the soil saturation largely amplifies the bending moment ;
this amplification results from the increase of the pore pressure which induces an important degra-
dation of the soil stiffness and resistance and consequently increases the part of loads supported by
the pile.

3.2.2 Influence of the permeability

Since the evolution of the pore pressure excess is governed by the soil permeability, a calculation
was performed with a soil permeability k = 0.005m/s (the permeability of the first example k =
0.001m/s) in order to investigate the influence of this parameter on the pile behavior. Figures 7a-b
show the evolution of the pore pressure in the soil massif and the envelop of the bending moment
in the pile. In comparison with the reference example (figure 4a), it can be observed that the in-
crease of the soil permeability reduces the magnitude of the pore pressure excess (due to the in-
crease of the rate of dissipation of the pore pressure) and consequently reduces the magnitude of
the bending moment : when the permeability increases from 0.001m/s to 0.005m/s the maximum of
the bending moment decreases from 31 to 19 kN.m.

3.2.3 Influence of the loading amplitude

In order to study the influence of the loading amplitude on the pile behavior, a calculation was con-
ducted with a harmonic excitation whose amplitude is equal to 0.2g (twice the amplitude used in
the reference example). Figures 8a-b show the obtained results. It can be noted that the increase of
the seismic loading induces a significant increase of the pore pressure excess which leads to a liq-
uefaction of an important part of the soil massif. The extension of the liquefied zone induces an
important increase of the bending moment, particularly in the lower part of the pile.

0
0
k=0,5 cm/s
0.2
0.2

0.4
0.4
z/L
z/L

0.6
0.6

t=1 s
0.8 k=0,1 cm/s
0.8 t=2 s
t=4 s k=0,5 cm/s
t=5 s
1
1
0 10 20 30 40
0 0.5 1 1.5
' M (kN .m)
p/ m ax
v0

(a) (b)
Figure 7. Influence of the permeability on the pile behavior: (a) Evolution of pore pressure with k =0.005m/s,
(b) On the bending moment.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

0
0

0,2 g
0.2
0.2

t=1 s
t=2 s 0.4
0.4
t=4 s
z/L

z/L
t=5 s
0.6
0.6

0.8
0.8 0.1 g
0.2 g
1
1
0 12.5 25 37.5 50
0 0.5 1 1.5
' M (kN .m)
p/ m ax
v0

(a) (b)
Figure 8. Influence of the loading amplitude on the pile behavior: (a) Evolution of the pore pressure (a =
0.2g), (b) On the bending moment.

0
0

t=5 s
0.2
0.2

0.4
0.4 f=1 Hz
z/L

z/L

f=1,5 Hz
f=2 Hz
0.6
0.6

0.8
0.8 f=1 Hz
f=1,5 Hz
f=2 Hz
1
1
0 15 30 45 60
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
' M (kN .m)
p/ m ax
v0

Figure 9. Influence of the loading frequency on the pile behavior: (a) Pore pressure, (b) Bending moment.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

3.2.4 Influence of the loading frequency

Supplementary calculations were conducted to study the influence of the loading frequency. Fig-
ures 9a-b show results obtained with three frequencies f = 1, 1.5 and 2Hz. It can be observed that
the pore pressure excess decreases with the increase of the loading frequency. This result can be
attributed to the increase of the dynamic amplification with the decrease of the frequency over the
interval [1, 2 Hz]. We also observe an important increase of the maximum of the bending moment
with the decrease of the frequency. This result is due to the increase of the dynamic amplification at
low frequencies whose influence is intensified with the soil liquefaction.

4 APPLICATION ON GROUPS OF PILES

4.1 Reference example

As a reference example we analyzed the behavior of a group composed of 2*2 piles which have the
same characteristics as those of the reference example (figure 1). The piles spacing was assumed to
be S = 3D (D denotes the pile width). The seismic loading is modeled by a harmonic acceleration
whose frequency and amplitude are respectively f = 2Hz, a = 0.1g.
Figure 10a shows the evolution of the pore pressure in the soil massif. In comparison with re-
sults obtained with the single pile, it can be noted that the group effect slightly affects the evolution
of the pore pressure. The group effect on the distribution of the bending moment is illustrated in
figure 10b. We observe that the group effect induces a significant reduction of the bending moment
: the maximums of the bending moment for the single and the pile group are respectively 31 and
22 kN.m.

0
0

t=5 s
0.2
0.2

0.4
0.4
z/L

z/L

0.6
0.6

0.8 single pile

0.8 Single pile 2*2 piles
2*2 piles
1
1
0 10 20 30 40
0 0.5 1 1.5
' M (kN .m)
p/ m ax
v0

(a) (b)
Figure 10. Behavior of a group of 2*2 piles under seismic loading: (a) Excess of pore pressure, (b) Bending
moment.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

0.2

single
0.4 2*2 piles (S = 6D)
2*2 piles (S=3D)

0.6

0.8

1
0 Mmax (kN.m) 40

Figure 11. Influence of the piles spacing of piles on the bending moment.

0 Single pile
group 2*2
group 3*3 (N 1)
0,2 group 3*3 (N 2)
group 3*3 (N 3)

0,4
z/L 3D

0,6 3D

0,8
1 2
3D
1
0 10 20 30 40 3D
Mmax (kN.m)

Figure 12. Influence of the number of piles on the bending moment.

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 11th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering 1998 Balkema, Rotterdam, ISBN 90 5410 982 3

4.2 Parametric Study

4.2.1 Influence of piles spacing
In order to study the influence of piles spacing we performed a supplementary calculation with a
pile spacing S = 6D. Figure 11 shows the influence of this parameter on the bending moment. We
observe a group effect up to a pile spacing S = 6D : The maximum of the bending moment obtained
with the single pile is equal to 31kN.m while that obtained with the group of 2*2 piles with a piles
spacing S = 6D is equal to 24 kN.m.

4.2.2 Influence of the number of piles

A calculation was performed with a group of piles composed of 3*3 elements with a pile spacing
S = 3D. Figure 12 shows a comparison of the bending moment obtained for this group with those
obtained with the single pile and the group of 2*2 piles. It can be observed that the maximum of
bending moment decreases with the number of piles. The maximums of bending moment obtained
with the single pile, the group of 2*2 piles and the group of 3*3 piles are respectively 31, 22 and 17
kN.m. On the other hand, we note that the position of the pile slightly affects the distribution of the
bending moment : the maximum is obtained at the corner, while the minimum is observed at the
center of the pile group. For the pile situated at the corner, the maximum of the bending is 17 while
for the pile in the center of the group we obtain 15kN.m.

5 CONCLUSION
This paper included a numerical analysis of the seismic behavior of piles in saturated soils. It was
performed using the (u-p) approximation for the fluid-soil coupling and a cyclic elastoplastic con-
stitutive relation for the description of the soil behavior. The main results of this study can be
summarized as follows:
The presence of piles affects slightly the evolution of the pore pressure. This evolution can
then be calculated by the resolution of a free field problem.
When piles are used in loose sands, the seismic loading induces an increase of the pore pres-
sure which can lead to liquefaction. This increases causes an important amplification of the bend-
ing moment. The seismic loading induces also compression in piles due to the soil settlement under
seismic loading.
A group effect is observed up to a piles spacing S = 6D. It mainly concerns the reduction of
the bending moment.

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