Numerical analysis of time-dependent negative skin friction on pile in soft soils

Abstract

The generation of negative skin friction (NSF) induces the additional axial force on the pile, which exerts a detrimental load rather than a beneficial one. However, the effect of soil creep on the long-term development of NSF has remained poorly understood. The study uses numerical analysis to investigate this effect. First, an elasto-viscoplastic model with an enhanced time integration algorithm is successfully implemented into a finite element code. Next, the two-dimensional axisymmetric pile-soil interaction model is established and properly calibrated with a known field case. Finally, parametric studies are conducted to examine different degrees of creep effect on the variation in NSF and neutral plane (NP) within the primary and secondary consolidation periods. According to the findings, a high creep coefficient of the soil results in an increase in NSF and descending trend of the NP. The creep induced delay of NSF is observed attributed to the increase in excess pore pressure during the early stage of consolidation. The NP position varies drastically at the commencement of consolidation when taking creep into consideration. Lastly, the study proposes an exponential prediction model to reflect the time dependence of the location of the NP.