Numerical Analysis of Pre-casted Lightweight Concrete Piles Driving in Clayey Soil
Abstract: Pre-casted lightweight concrete (LWC) provide an attractive alternative to conventional pile materials such as steel and concrete by improving the durability of deep foundations. In this paper, the drivability of cylindrical piles with lightweight concrete is investigated. The drivability of LWC and traditional pile materials are compared using the finite difference analysis. The three-dimensional model is considered to simulate the pile-soil system in drivability by FLAC3D. The vertical LWC pile is assumed to behave linear and elastic and the soil is acted in elastoplastic material obeyed the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion. Interface elements are also used at the soil-pile contact surfaces along the pile shaft and pile toe to allow the slip to occur during the driving procedure. Quiet boundaries are used to prevent waves from traveling in the lateral and vertical directions of the soil. The analysis results indicate that LWS piles by selecting the appropriate mixture design and the ratio between elastic modulus and specific weight have a better performance in compared to commonly used concrete and its effect in pile optimum penetration and economical saving.
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