Closed-form formulation of vertical dynamic response of single floating piles in homogeneous viscoelastic soil

This paper presents a mathematical model for the elastic analysis of single floating piles subjected to axial dynamic loads, that is based on treating the soil surrounding the pile as a Tajimi-type viscoelastic continuum. The pile and the soil column underlying the pile tip are modelled using one-dimensional rod theory, and this allows obtaining an elegant solution that requires solving a system of linear equations, instead of complicated integral equations. Closed-form expressions are derived for the dynamic stiffness at the pile head, and the frictional resistance along the pile shaft. The presentation concludes with a discussion on the main mechanisms that govern the inertial response of floating piles, and an investigation on the sensitivity of the dynamic stiffness and of the frictional resistance to the main geometrical and material problem parameters.

Automated summary

This paper presents a mathematical model for the elastic analysis of single floating piles subjected to axial dynamic loads. The model treats the soil surrounding the pile as a viscoelastic continuum and uses one-dimensional rod theory to model the pile and the soil column underlying the pile tip. The model provides closed-form expressions for the dynamic stiffness at the pile head and the frictional resistance along the pile shaft. The paper concludes with a discussion on the main mechanisms governing the inertial response of floating piles and investigates the sensitivity of the dynamic stiffness and frictional resistance to geometric and material parameters.