Numerical model of bored pile group under arbitrary horizontal loading

Abstract

Foundations of wind turbines, bridges, offshore platforms, industrial chimneys, retaining structures, marine and harbor structures etc. can be loaded with significant horizontal loads from various sources. Appropriate assessment of the foundations capacity of these structures is necessary, especially when these structures are supported by pile groups. The horizontal loading on the pile group may have arbitrary direction. This paper addresses some important aspects of FEM numerical modeling of a bored pile group under arbitrary horizontal loading. Model parameters, validation and post-processing techniques are presented and discussed. The full 3D FEM model was found to be necessary for the correct problem solution.