Numerical analysis of an innovative expanding pile under static and dynamic loading

Designing pile foundations subjected to the uplift forces such as buildings, oil platforms, and anchors is becoming increasingly concerned. In this paper, the conceptual design of a new type of driven piles called expanding pile is presented and assessed. Some grooves have been created in the shaft of the novel pile, and some moveable arms have been designed at the pile tip. At first, static analyses using the finite element method were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the innovative pile on the axial bearing capacity. Then its effect on seismic behavior of moment frame is considered. Results show that the expanding arms were provided an ideal anchorage system because of the soil's noticeable locking-up effect increasing uplift bearing capacity. For example at the end of the static tensile loading procedure, displacement decrement up to 55 percent is observed. In addition, comparing the uplift bearing capacity of the usual and new pile with different lengths in sand and clay layers shows noticeable effect and sharp increase up to about two times especially in longer piles. Besides, a sensible reduction in the seismic response and the stresses in the beam-column connection between 23-36 percent are achieved that ensures better seismic behavior of the structures.

Automated summary

This paper presents the conceptual design and assessment of a new type of driven pile called expanding pile, which is used for designing pile foundations subjected to uplift forces such as buildings, oil platforms, and anchors. Static analyses and finite element method are used to evaluate the axial bearing capacity and seismic behavior of the innovative pile. Results show that the expanding arms provide an ideal anchorage system, increasing the uplift bearing capacity due to the soil's locking-up effect.