Seismic behavior analysis of piles by considering lateral spreading

In the current research, a parametric study on seismic behavior of piles in saturated sand layers with gentle slope similar to coastal area subjected to lateral spreading of liquefied soil have been studied. The numerical simulations are performed by using finite element software (OPENSEES), loading condition and slope model is chosen such that liquefaction and lateral spreading happen. For defining soil parameters in three layers, Nevada sand soil parameters have been used while the middle layer is in the risk of liquefaction. For all analyses, the soil material model is selected to behave under Prevost criteria. The model retains the extreme versatility and accuracy of the simple multi surface theory in describing observed shear nonlinear hysteretic behavior, shear stress-induced anisotropy; and reflects the strong dilatancy dependency on the effective stress ratio. Pile responses are analyzed by changing different parameters such as frequency, relative density, free-head and fixed-head conditions. The results revealed that by increasing frequency, lateral displacement and induced forces decline dramatically. The fixed head condition has led to extensive bending moment in the pile head and declining lateral displacement. © 2013, EJGE.