Dynamic Analysis of Pile Driving

Abstract

A pile driving is a mechanical process used to drive piles into soil to provide foundation support for buildings or other heavy structures. Pile driving includes a heavy weight placed between guides so that it is able to freely slide up and down in a single line. It is placed above a pile. The weight is raised, which may involve the use of hydraulics, steam, diesel, or manual labour.When the weight reaches its highest point, it is then released and smashes on to the pile in order to drive it into the ground. Due to this driving force various stresses are induced into pile at the time of installation. Many analytical methods are widely been developed to analyse the dynamic installation process of pile. But this are the numerical methods with numerous assumptions so could not used for field work. Also, the main problem with the traditional Finite Element analysis are the contact problem and large deformation of finite element mesh taking place. So, the simulation of pile driving from initial unpenetrated position is carried out by commercial softwares. In this study initial unpenetrated condition of pile is considered and hypoplastic soil model is considered for loading and unloading condition. For each blow stress are induced at pile tip and soil drifting is monitored. As pile driving is a dynamic process which causes the vibration in a surrounding soil. Moreover, excess pore water pressure are generated due to the quick stress increased around the pile. In this study focus is placed on irreversible deformation below the pile in order to simulate theses process most realistically. The behavior of sand or any soil layer is model in means of the hardening soil model in plaxis (2D).