AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT

FIFTEENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON STRUCTURAL AND GEOTECHNICAL

ENGINEERING
Advancements In Construction Techniques

Modelling of Pile Jacking into Sandy Soil Considering Large

Deformation Behaviour using Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian
Method (CEL)

MOHAMED ABDELFATTAH
Department of Civil Engineering, Ain Shams University
Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: Mohamed_abdel.fattah@yahoo.com
KHALID ABDEL-RAHMAN
Inst. for Geotechnical Engineering, Leibniz University of Hannover
Hannover, Germany
E-mail: khalid@igth.uni-hannover.de
SAYED M. AHMED
Department of Civil Engineering, Ain Shams University
Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: sayed.mohamed@dar.com
YASSER M.EL-MOSSALLAMY
Department of Civil Engineering, Ain Shams University
Cairo, Egypt
E-mail: yasser.elmossallamy@arcadis.com

ABSTRACT
Since large deformation during the pile penetration causes great distortions of the
Lagrangian elements, which are used in conventional finite element analysis, a novel
approach allows the separation of the material movement from the finite element mesh
and thus overcomes the distortion of the elements. The coupled Eulerian Lagrangian
(CEL) method combines the Lagrangian elements, which represent solid structures, with
the Eulerian elements that idealize the soil. In geotechnical applications, the CEL method
allows the soil, which may undergo large deformations, to be modeled using Eulerian
elements while solid structures with little deformations can be modeled using lagrangian
elements. The interface between the two elements defines the boundary of the Lagrangian
body. The Lagrangian body occupies a region in the Eulerian mesh, while it pushes the
Eulerian material out of the elements since there is no material flow of Eulerian material
into the Lagrangian body.
In this study, pile jacking into sandy soil is investigated using CEL-Method. The CEL-
method is verified firstly by benchmark. Secondly, the pile jacking is modeled using CEL-
approach and the numerical results are compared with the experimental data.

KEYWORDS
Jacked pile, Large deformation, Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL), Cap plasticity,
Sandy soil, Completely Decomposed Granite.

1. INTRODUCTION
In order to simulate the penetration of piles into soil using numerical techniques, large
induced deformations during installation should be considered. Conventional finite
element techniques are not able to consider such large deformations due to the great
distortions of the Lagrangian elements.
Recently, attempts had been made to overcome numerical problems using coupled
lagrangian eularian approach (CEL). Several researchers investigate the CEL method in
geotechnical applications, Qiu et al. 2011[25], Wang et al. 2015[28]. Spudcan penetrating
was simulated numerically using CEL by Qiu and Henke 2011[24], Tho et.al. 2012[27],
Gütz et. al. 2013, Zheng et.al. 2015[32], Zhao et.al. 2015. Active earth pressure shielding
in quay wall was studied using CEL method by Qiu and Grabe 2012[23], Grabe and Heins
2017 evaluate dynamic pile tests on open-ended piles numerically [8]. Vane shear test
was simulated using CEL by Gupta et al 2016 [9] and the numerical results were
compatible with the experimental ones.
In study herein, the ultimate bearing capacity of a strip footing in cohesive soil, which is
considered a classical geotechnical problem, is used firstly as a benchmark in order to
show the advantages of advanced numerical approach (CEL) in geotechnical applications.
Then, the process of pile jacking into sandy soil is simulated using this numerical method.
Cap plasticity is used as constitutive law for sandy soil which consider the nonlinear
response, stress history and control hardening/softening behaviour. The numerical results
are verified with full scale jacked pile that penetrates sandy soil.

2. NUMERICAL APPROACH

2.1 Introduction
Special numerical approach called Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) is used in order
to overcome the shortcomings of classical approaches during simulation of pile jacking.
CEL approach in ABAQUS is explicit integration scheme known as the forward Euler or
central difference algorithm, which the numerical stability is governed by time step size.
The size of critical time step is evaluated by characteristic element length Le and the
dilatory wave speed Cd as expressed in Equ. 1.
The equilibrium in ABAQUS/explicit can be described by Equ.2. when quasi-static
analyses are applied, the inertial/dynamic force should be small enough and kinetic
energy should not exceed 5-10% of its internal energy (ABAQUS)[4].
 Le
tmin 
Cd (1)
Mü  P - I (2)
Where, Le is characteristic element length, Cd is wave propagation velocity, M is lumped
mass, Ü is acceleration, P is the external load vector and I is the internal load vector.

2.2 Eulerian domain

The Eulerian domain depends on Eulerian volume fraction (EVF), when the EVF is equal
to one, the domain is filled with material, whereas, the domain is empty, when EVF equals
zero. The void material has neither mass nor strength. In initial condition, the layer with
EVF equal zero (empty layer) in Eulerian domain should be assigned above soil layers in
order to allow the material to heave and flow freely at the subsequent stages of the
analysis. [4]

2.3 Contact algorithm

General contact based on penalty contact method was utilized for describing soil-pile
interface. The contact algorithm tracks the Lagrangian structure, which occupies void
regions inside the Eulerian mesh and computes the interface between the Lagrangian
structure and the Eulerian materials. The mechanical contact properties were used to
define the relationship of contact between the parts.[4]

3. BENCHMARK

3.1 Introduction
Early, the bearing capacity problems were solved based on Prandtl (1920) work and
extended by Reissner (1924). Terzaghi (1943) developed their work in order to produce
his bearing-capacity theory. Prandtl (1920) studied the plastic failure of soft material
during its punching by hard material considering that the soft material is weightless and
no-slip between the rigid base and soil. Figure 1 shows the plastic wedge by Prandtl
(1920). The ultimate pressure resistance based on Prandtl theory for strip footing founded
on the surface of cohesive soil should be qu= (2+) cu.[17][21][26]

Fig. 1: General plastic wedge by Prandtl (1920)

3.2 State of the Art

Qiu et.al. (2011a) investigated the strip footing response founded on weightless cohesive
soil using implicit, Explicit and CEL approaches. The strip footing problem is described
in Figure 2. Von MISES constitutive law was used with soil parameters are listed in table
1. The plane-strain model (2-D) was used for Implicit and Explicit approach while three-
dimensional model (3-D) for CEL approach.[25]

Table 1: Used parameters according to Qiu, 2011a

Undrained shear strength,

Parameter Shear modulus, G Poisson ratio, 
Cu
value 1000 kPa 0.49 10 kPa

Fig. 2: Geometry and boundary strip footing problem (Qiu et.al 2011)

3.3 Validation of strip footing problem

In the present study, the strip footing response is verified numerically in three-
dimensional (3D) space based on Qiu (2011a) work using ABAQUS/standard, Explicit
and CEL against analytical solution which proposed by Prandtl (1920). Mohr-Coulomb
constitutive law is used with soil parameters in table 1 where the  equal zero and young’s
modulus is set as 3000 kPa.
The soil domain was defined by C3D8R in lagrangian approach (ABAQUS/Standard and
Explicit scheme) while it was defined by EC3D8R in coupled Eulerian lagrangian (CEL)
approach. The footing was defined as rigid body using reference point in three models.
The mesh size of 0.05x0.05m was used in analysis based on investigation of mesh
sensitivity by Qiu (2011a).
The results of CEL approach coincide with conventional Lagrangian approach either
standard or Explicit scheme. The numerical analysis agrees with Prandtl (1920) analytical
solution for strip footing with rough base punches in cohesive soil. Figure 3 shows the
punching response concluded from numerical approaches compared to analytical value.
The CEL method provides another advantage for problems involving large deformations,
which cannot be solved by conventional numerical approach based on Lagrangian mesh.
Fig. 3: punching-penetration response of strip footing using three numerical approaches

4. SIMULATION OF JACKED PILES INTO SANDY SOIL (COMPLETELY

DECOMPOSED GRANITE)
Yang et.al. (2006a), performed full-scale field test at Hong Kong. The piles were long
steel H-piles jacked into saprolite formed completely decomposed granite. The site
investigation had been carried using standard penetration test (SPT). The site
investigation indicates that the site formed fill layer, alluvial layer, and completely
decomposed granite, while, the ground water table was located at depth 3.65 m. Figure 4
shows the soil formation at pile location. The researcher defined that the saprolite, CDG
is a saturated silty sand soil and the engineering properties were referred to Lumb (1962,
1965) and Guide 1988. The excess pore water pressure pile during the pile jacking was
observed and the results indicate the excess pore water almost not developed during
jacking process.[30]

4.1 Interpretation of Soil Properties

The results of measured SPT blows (Nspt) which mentioned by Yang et.al (2006) was
corrected to N160 which corresponding to 60% of energy level according to FHWA[7],
Canadian foundation manual[3].These corrections should include the effect of
overburden, length of the drill rod, diameter hole and split-spoon sampler. Considering
the energy rod is 60% and effect of length of the drill rod, diameter hole, split-spoon
sampler equal unity, the SPT blows should be corrected to overburden stress as per Equ.3
which developed by peck et al. 1974, (FHWA, Canadian foundation engineering manual).
The corrected SPT blows are shown in figure 5. From Lumb (1962) work,[16] the value
of coefficient of volume compressibility (mv) can be concluded as 0.025 cm2/kg at initial
void ratio 0.60.
 1920
N160  0.77 log   N60
  'v  (3)
The shearing friction angle () was estimated using widely used relations between SPT
blows and friction angle by peck et al (1974)[15][20]. According to FHWA, the young's
modulus (E) can be estimated using Equ.4 for slightly silty sand, while, the average
Poisson’s ratio () can be considered 0.30. [7]
E  700N160 (4)

Fig. 4: Site investigation results in vicinity of Fig. 5: Measured and corrected SPT blows
jacked pile location

4.2 Finite Element Model

Due to symmetry, one-quarter of space model is used for modeling pile penetrating. The
soil domain has been modeled 20 times in width and 1.5 times in length of the pile
dimensions. The pile and soil are modeled in three-dimensional domain (3-D) using solid
(i.e., continuum) elements. The Eulerian element of EC3D8R, i.e. 8-node linear Eulerian
brick element, reduced integration was used for soil domain, while, rigid body with
reference point of Lagrangian part with 8-node brick element, reduced integration
(C3D8R) was used for pile part. Figure 6 shows the typical CEL model for jacked pile.

4.3 Interaction properties

The mechanical contact properties by tangential and normal models were used to define
the relationship of contact between pile and soil. Coulomb friction is used in ABAQUS
for tangent friction, which utilizes frictional coefficient, µ. The critical shear stress (c) is
related to the contact pressure (p) using the function c = .P. The friction coefficient
was developed based on friction angle between soil and steel pile coefficient is 20
degrees[18][19] according to NAVAC –DM.7. Hence, the friction coefficient of 0.36 ()
was used in model
“Hard” contact model is used to describe the normal contact behavior which allows
separation after contact which provided by ABAQUS in normal direction. The distance
separating two surfaces is called the clearance. The contact constraint is applied when the
clearance between two surfaces becomes zero.

Fig. 6: Typical FE-CEL model for jacked pile

4.4 Constitutive Model

Cap plasticity model was used as constitutive law for soil material while linear elastic
was used for pile material. The used constitutive law for soil material consider the
nonlinear response, stress history, stress pass and control hardening/softening behavior.
The cap plasticity model consists of Drucker-Prager yield criterion to simulate shear
failure surface in additional to hardening law to control hardening/softening behavior by
adding the cap yield surface. The description potential flow for cap model in the
meridional plane is associated in the cap region while non-associated in the failure surface
and transition regions. Figure 7 shows the cap plasticity surfaces in meridional plane
(ABAQUS,[4]).
The cap yield surface is an ellipse with eccentricity (R) in the p–t plane. The cap surface
hardens or softens as a function of the volumetric plastic strain. The cap yield surface is
intersected with Drucker-Prager shear surface in cap plasticity model by smooth transition
surface, which is defined by small value (). The typically value of is range
between0.01 and 0.05 to define transition surface. [4]
The parameters of Drucker-Prager shear surface d and  was calibrated from Mohr-
Coulomb parameters c and Triaxial response approach was used to estimate the
Drucker-Prager parameters. The shear surface shape is controlled by a flow stress ratio,
k. The shape factor shall be fallen within range 0.778≤ k ≤1 to ensure the surface is
convex. This approach yields the following equations, ABAQUS [4].
 6. sin
tan  
3  sin  (5)
3  sin
k
3  sin (6)

Fig. 7: Cap Plasticity surfaces in the meridional plane (ABAQUS manual)

Pa is an evolution parameter that controls the hardening–softening behaviour as function
of the volumetric plastic strain.
 P  R.d 
p a   b 
 1  R. tan   (7)
The hardening/softening law is a user-defined piecewise linear function relating the
hydrostatic compression yield stress (Pb), and volumetric inelastic strain ( vp), which can
be obtained from the isotropic compression test results. Huang (1990)[14], Sam Helwany
(2007)[11] used the Equ. 8 or 9 as a fundamental of soil mechanics to evaluate the rate of
volumetric plastic strain (vp). Figure 8 shows the used relationship between hydrostatic
compression and volumetric inelastic strain for simulating pile jacking.
  P
 vp  ln
1  e0 P0 (8)
The equation can be rewritten as:
Cc  Cs P
v p  ln
2.31  e0  P0 (9)
Where, Cc: compression index, Cs: swelling index, P0: initial mean stress, P: Mean stress
Based on estimated soil parameters from SPT results and using equation 5 through 9, the
parameters of constitutive law were estimated. The used parameters are shown in table 2.
 Table 2: Used model and related soil parameters
Soil Fill / alluvium Completely Decomposed Granite (CDG)
Drucker
Model Drucker Pager with cap (Cap plasticity)
Prager (DP)
Layer Layer-0 Layer-1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4
(kN/m3) 17 7 8 8 8
Es (kPa) 5000 5000 21000 31500 49000
 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30
 (Degree) 30 30 36 40 45
 (Degree) 50.20 50.20 55.63 58.57 61.61
k0 0.50 0.50 0.41 0.36 0.30
 -- 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03
Initial cap position -- 0 0.009 0.0161 0.0216
R -- 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10
K 0.778 0.778 0.778 0.778 0.778

Fig. 8: Used Cap-hardening curve for CDG

4.5 Mesh density and velocity dependency on numerical accuracy

Preliminary models were conducted to investigate the influence of mesh density and
velocity of penetration on accuracy of numerical analysis. Three different mesh densities
were used to achieve numerical convergence, table 3 describes the different investigated
mesh densities. In addition, three penetration velocity of 26.50 m/s, 5.30m/s and 2.65 m/s
were considered in order to investigate the influence of penetration rate on accuracy of
numerical analysis and ensure that the analysis achieve quasi-static state.
The results are not shown herein because of limit of pages; however, it can be concluded
that the jacking force depends on mesh density, the jacking force increases with
increasing the mesh coarseness and element size.
 Table 3: Used mesh density for numerical convergence
Mesh No. Dimensions (m) Number of elements
1 0.075 x 0.075 x 0.075 139568
2 0.050 x 0.005 x 0.050 291920
3 0.030 x 0.030 x 0.050 426320

4.6 CEL Analysis against Field Measurements

Based on the results of influence of mesh density and penetration velocity, the field
measurements against numerical analysis using ABAQUS is shown in figure 9. The
comparison shows that the jacking reaction resulted from CEL approach is very close
with field measurements during penetration process. so, the CEL can use to predict
behavior of pile during jacking. Further numerical studies are planned in the future.

Fig. 9: Comparison between CEL method against field measurements

5. CONCLUSIONS
The Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian Method (CEL) was verified and validated with
benchmark of classical geotechnical problem. The CEL results agreed with the analytical
solution in literatures and has proven to be suitable for the analysis of geotechnical
problems.
Further, the penetration of pile into sandy soil is considered as complex problem
involving large deformation which it cannot be simulated with conventional numerical
approaches. The CEL approach for simulation of pile jacking showed the well agreement
with full-scale experiment.
Finally, the CEL was successful for analyzing soil-structure interaction with large
deformations. This approach was found to be capable of solving geotechnical problems
involving large deformation which it cannot be solved using conventional finite element
approaches.
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