Numerical Analysis of Piles using

different Constitutive Models

Evdokia Liaskou

Introduction & Background Analysis and Results

Single piles subjected to various loads and load combinations have been studied Two Dimensional Model Results
extensively over the years. Nevertheless, a progress of determining a failure envelope
for piles under combined loading is limited.
The behaviour of the pile under loading depends mainly on the soil structure
interaction and the main problem is that the soil behaviour is not linear. Various
constitutive models have been proposed for the representation of the soil depending
on its type. In addition, by the use of Finite Element Analysis many researchers have
been able to accurately determine the pile soil interface by the use of interface
elements or contact elements.

Aims & Objectives Pile Axial Capacity in dense and loose sands Effect of dilation angle in piles capacity in
without interface elements loose sand
To use a new FEM software, Midas GTS NX, in order to accurately represent the
complex interface behaviour as well as to determine the axial and lateral capacity
of a pile in granular soil. After many trials, interface elements
To explore and gain expertise on GTS NX. could not be created in a 2D
Development of an axisymmetric valid 2D and 3D model of the required pile. axisymmetric model (in GTS NX) in
Investigating the effects of different soil properties on the pile capacity and order to represent the behaviour of the
comparison of those effects with other studies. soil pile interface. For this reason the
Comparison of results given by Mohr Coulomb and Drucker Prager Models. axial capacity of the pile using interface
Investigate the behaviour of pile under combined lateral and axial loadings. element had to be obtained by the
analysis of a 3D model.
Drained loading of single pile without

Methodology interface elements along its shaft,

(Potts & Zdravkovic, 2001)
Geometry
Three Dimensional Model Results
0.5m

9
m

25
m
25m

Pile Axial Capacity in Loose Sand with and Pile Axial Capacity in Loose Sand represented
50m by (a) Mohr Coulomb (b) Drucker Prager
without Interface Elements
25m With Interface Elements

Geometry (Dimensions) and Mesh of (a) 2D model and (b) 3D model With
Material Properties Theoretical Qu (kN)
FoS = 3
Concrete (Structure) Loose Sand Dense Sand
Loose Sand 3554.4 1184.4
Model type: Elastic Mohr Coulomb & Drucker Prager
Elastic Modulus (E)=25GPa 20MPa 50MPa
Dense Sand 8092.1 2697.4
Unit Weight ()=24kN/m3 16kN/m3 18kN/m3
Poissons ratio ()=0.2 0.3 0.3
Coef. of Earth Pressure (K0) - 0.5 0.42 Midas GTS NX 2D Model 3D Model
Cohesion (c) - 5kN/m2 5kN/m2
Friction Angle () - 30 36 Loose Sand
Effect of slippage in the response representation 1034.7 3673.7
Dilation Angle () - 0-30 0-36
of axially loaded piles (Tochranis et al, 1991).
Elastic Model
Dense Sand 2478.3 8332.2

Vertical Displacement Contour Plots & Deformed Shapes for (a) 2D model (b) 3D model
A part of the methodology is to confirm
the validity of the elastic model. This was
done for both the 2D and 3D models. By
checking the stresses in the soil and
matching them with the theory (=h), by
plotting the vertical pressure against the
vertical displacement and by checking the
deformed shape of the soil and pile, the
validity of the two models was confirmed.
Conclusions
An axisymmetric 2D and 3D model were successfully set up.
The effects of the different soil parameters, (dense and loose sand, dilation
angle) were as expected and matched the existing studies.
The ultimate axial capacity of the pile obtained by the 2D model, match the
theoretical result with a factor of safety of 3 (5% difference).
The interface of he soil and pile cannot be represented by GTS NX in a 2D
axisymmetric model.
On the other hand, the application of interface elements was successful in a 3D
model, and the Load Displacement diagrams where plotted for both interface
and no interface models. The results were compared to other studies and they
proved to be similar.
Although the 3D model results seem to be more reasonable, when comparing
with the theoretical results match with the values with no applied factor of
safety.

Potts, M. D. & Zdravkovic, L., (2001). Finite Element Analysis in Geotechnical Engineering Application. London: Thomas Telford.
Tochranis, A. M., Bielak J., Christiano, P. (1991). Three Dimensional Non Linear Study of Piles. J. Geotech. Engrg., pp. 429 - 447.