Numerical Simulation of Pile Penetration Processes using Abaqus

Sascha Henke, Hamburg University of Technology, Department of Geotechnical and Construction Management

Pile foundations are used as deep foundations in Geotechnical Engineering. The pile installation process influences the main state variables of the surrounding soil and causes extra deformation and loading of already existing structures, which are located next to the newly driven piles.

In numerical analyses of pile foundations the pile driving process normally is not considered – piles are simulated “wished-in-place”. In this research work executed in the framework of the postgraduate programme “Harbours for container ships of future generations” the pile driving process is simulated by three-dimensional finite-element-analyses. With the help of these numerical simulations the effect of the installation process on the surrounding soil can be investigated regarding soil density, cross-section of the installed pile and installation method. Furthermore, the influence of pile driving on adjacent or intersecting piles can be investigated.

For pile installation analyses, Abaqus/Explicit is used. The FE-domain is discretized with C3D8R elements. A hypoplastic constitutive law provided by a VUMAT describes the soil; the pile is modelled as a discrete or analytical rigid body. The penetration of the pile into the FE-continuum is made possible using a “zipper-type-technique”. In the axis of penetration a tube (t=1 mm) resembling the cross-section of the pile is modelled. This tube is in frictionless contact with the surrounding soil. During penetration the pile slides over the tube so that the soil separates from the tube and contact between pile and soil can be established.

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