Response prediction of horizontally loaded single piles using a pseudo 3-D nonlinear FE procedure

Abstract

In this paper, a nonlinear continuum method is developed to predict the load-displacement response of single piles under lateral loading. This pseudo-3D numerical procedure called the nonlinear vertical slices model (NVSM) consists of subdividing the pile/soil continuum into vertical interacting slices, each being dealt with as pseudo-plane stress problem. The technique takes advantage of finite element 2D numerical solutions in plane stress for building approximate 3D solutions. First, the linear FE VS model is briefly outlined and then the yield criterion selected for nonlinear analysis is introduced. The nonlinear computational strategy and the different calculation steps are also given in detail. Based on the theory of the NVSM, a computer code called Pile3D-NVSM for laterally loaded piles is presented. The computational advantage of the approach is illustrated, by the validation of the code through pile problems involving nonlinear soil behaviour. The reasonable agreement that has been found between the NVSM results and those of the full 3D FE method demonstrates the ability of the nonlinear vertical slices model to predict accurate lateral pile deflections.