4 research outputs found
Improved embedded beam elements for the modelling of piles
The embedded pile model is developed in Plaxis 3D Foundation Beta Version, to describe the pile-soil interaction in a foundation and to provide a numerical model for describing non-linear behaviour of the pile-soil interaction. In the present approach, the pile is considered as a beam element which can cross the soil at any place with any arbitrary orientation. The interaction between the pile and the surrounding soil at the pile shaft is described by means of embedded interface elements. At the pile tip, the soil resistance against compression is represented by means of embedded non-linear spring elements. Modelling the pile with embedded beam elements facilitates the analysis; however it brings out a kind of "mesh dependent" behaviour. In this paper, firstly the investigation of the mesh dependent behaviour, then the improvement of the model and finally verification/validation testing of "embedded pile" elements are presented. The mesh dependency is investigated and verified by using different mesh sizes for a unique model. Then, the model is improved by introducing an "elastic region" around and also at the tip of the pile element. Finally, two pile load tests are simulated by using the improved embedded pile elements for the validation