Developing a methodology for the integrated numerical evaluation and performance assessment of soil-pile-pier

Abstract

In the paper is developed a discrete numerical solid pile model with a discontinuity and defects. Model included performance-based seismic evaluation of the soil-pile-bridge pier interaction. The pile discontinuity and defects are modelled by reducing the specific finite elements and elastic modulus of concrete. The wave-propagation response of the pile was analyzed based on a step-by-step numerical integration using the Hilber-Hughes-Taylor (HHT) method in time domain (THA). The response analysis is performed with an integration of individual reflectograms into a reflectogram surface, which is generated in a 3D cylindrical coordinate system. Non-linear response of the system is considered using the incremental-iterative Newton-Raphson`s method, while the stability analysis is performed according to the modified geometrical nonlinearity analysis of stability. Determination of critical load and effective length of the pile are performed based on numerical solution and using regression analysis of the power function. The procedure of the soil-pile-bridge pier performance evaluation is based on the incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis (INDA). The system's input signal is treated through the generated artificial accelerograms, which were subsequently processed by soil layers and for the bedrock. Fragility curves were constructed based on solutions of the regression analysis and the probability theory of log-normal distribution, while the generation of reliability curves is based on a solution of vulnerability.