Loading transfer mechanism of a piled raft subjected to normal faulting in sand

Abstract

Although different kinds of foundations have been investigated against an earthquake faulting, the interaction between pile group and dip-slip fault has not yet been fully understood. This letter investigates the interaction between piled raft and normal faulting by means of centrifuge and numerical modelling. In centrifuge test, a piled raft was simulated with a half model for a better observation of fault rupture path under the raft. The loading transfer mechanism was further examined using a three-dimensional finite difference software (FLAC3D). The measured and computed results showed that the piled raft displaced and tilted linearly with the magnitude of faulting. The fault rupture bifurcated into two and diverted towards both edges of the raft. Two types of loading transfer mechanism were identified during faulting. Working load transferred from the raft to the underneath piles, and also from the piles on the side of the hanging wall to the piles on the footwall side, resulting in compression failure of the piles on the footwall side.

Ultimate Load-Bearing Capacity and Sustainable Performance of Pile Foundations of Yanji Suspension Bridge in Fault Zone Based on Refined Geological Model

“…Feng et al [25] and Jia et al [26] used Midas finite element software to establish a finite element model and analyzed the dynamic response of pile foundation of cross-fault bridge and under pile-soil-structure interactions. Cai et al [27] studied the static failure of pile group foundations in overlying sandy soil induced by normal fault activity of bedrock and investigated the failure characteristics of pile groups under different relative positions of pile group faults. Fu et al [28] simulated the failure process of high abutment group pile foundations under normal fault displacement based on FLAC3D finite difference software.…”