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Numerical investigation on pile group efficiency embedded in soft clay

Abdelkrim Ferchat (MN2I2S Lab, Department of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic, Mohamed Khider University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria)
Mohamed Nabil Houhou (MN2I2S Lab, Department of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic, Mohamed Khider University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria)
Sadok Benmebarek (MN2I2S Lab, Department of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic, Mohamed Khider University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria)

World Journal of Engineering

ISSN: 1708-5284

Article publication date: 14 December 2020

Issue publication date: 28 May 2021

113

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the pile group efficiency based on the load-settlement response in soft clay conditions, considering several pile configurations using a variable number of piles and pile spacing. The overall objective of the present paper is to provide further insight into the mechanical response of the pile group and aim at helping the engineers in taking a logical path in an iterative design process for pile group efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the pile group efficiency, three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations were performed using the finite-difference code FLAC3D.

Findings

The obtained numerical results are validated by comparing them to those of similar subgrade structure and in comparable geological conditions provided within the literature. The results indicated that although the bearing capacity of the pile group increases with increasing number of piles, the efficiency of the pile group is very important for a small number of piles. However, increasing of pile spacing has a positive effect on pile group efficiency depending on piles number and settlement level. The pertinence of the 3D numerical results of efficiency coefficient is judged by comparison with those obtained from the most popular formulas available in the literature.

Originality/value

A predicted model is also proposed which is validated with the obtained numerical results to a better goodness of fit.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to the Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development of Algeria.

Citation

Ferchat, A., Houhou, M.N. and Benmebarek, S. (2021), "Numerical investigation on pile group efficiency embedded in soft clay", World Journal of Engineering, Vol. 18 No. 3, pp. 397-406. https://doi.org/10.1108/WJE-04-2020-0112

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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