The Pile Response in Coastal Soil Formation under Combined Loads

Abstract

Construction on weak soil formations is a challenge for geotechnical engineers. Such formations are found in the coastal areas and can be found in many places all over the world. In Egypt, coastal soil is located in the northeast region which consists of a shallow surface layer of soft clay followed by a layer of loose sand overlaying a deep soft clay layer. Construction on such soil is a challenge due to the existence of a thick soft clay layer with low bearing capacity. Using deep foundations in such soil formation will end bear at depths greater than 50 m, which is too expensive, especially for light weight structures. This study aims at using relatively short friction piles under structures. These short piles will be constructed and bear in the upper loose to medium dense sand layer. The idea of using friction piles in loose to medium dense sand under both vertical and lateral loads is to work as settlement reducing piles. To study this idea detailed 3D numerical analysis is performed using software ADINA to analyze and study the behavior of piles in such problematic soil, accounting for the effect of the presence of deep soft clay layers.