Fully Non-Linear Numerical Simulation of a Shaking Table Test of Dynamic Soil-Pile-Structure Interactions in Soft Clay Using ABAQUS

Abstract

There are a significant number of studies into the failure of pile-supported structures exposed to earthquakes, however, there remain a difficulties with the in situ examination of pile response and performance during seismic excitation. A flexible wall barrel, shaking table test method is suitable for investigating pile behavior during an earthquake. Cost, time, and difficulties in identifying soil properties accurately in physical models, in addition to the effects of test conditions, have led to the current research where the physical test is replaced by numerical simulation. Many researchers have experienced difficulties in the validation of numerical models and have found that there is a lack of available information in the literature. Thus, developing a practical approach will extend the soil-structure interaction (SSI) database and promote the validation opportunities for studies into pile performance during strong excitations. This study provides an insight into a set of SSI problems and proposes a procedure for calibration of the advanced SSI analysis. A framework is performed to simulate a shaking table test of a model pile-foundation superstructure on soft clay. A variety of model scaling relationships are used to develop an approach that allows observation of the inherent dynamic and non-linear nature of SSI behavior. The three-dimensional, non-linear dynamic response and elastoplastic analysis are included in the simulation. Through the development of finite element analysis (FEA) using ABAQUS software, fully non-linear unidirectional input excitations, which are amplified from the base to the top and are capable of including all of the possible degrees of freedom, are applied to the model. The inertial, kinematic, and damping interaction components of the response are also examined. The gap-slap mechanism between soil and pile is a significant aspect to the model. The results are validated using physical test results.