Torsional Response of Piles in Nonhomogeneous Soil

Abstract

A discrete element method is described for the analysis of single piles subjected to torsion. The soil is modelled using the modulus of subgrade reaction, which is expressed in terms of the soil shear modulus and the pile radius. Discrete element matrices are listed for the pile, and the soil that can be readily implemented into a computer program. The accuracy of the discrete element approach is verified by comparison with analytical and finite element solutions. The nonlinear response of the pile-soil system is computed, and compared with two reported torsional load tests in the field.