Seismic pile-soil interaction: experimental results versus numerical simulations

The present analytical work discusses the outcomes of a series of 1-g shaking table experimental tests that were carried out to validate numerical models formulated for kinematic and inertial interaction effects on pile-supported systems. Towards this aim, pile models in layered sand deposits were built in the laboratory; such models were subjected to several cyclic tests and an ensemble of earthquake loading. The piles were densely instrumented with accelerometers and strain gauges; therefore, earthquake response, including bending strains along their length, could be measured directly. Different configurations were considered for the shake-table tests; the latter configurations include free-head piles and single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems with short and long caps at foundation level. The experimental data have been assessed accurately to estimate the period elongation of the SDOF structures, if any. Additionally, comparisons between the soil free-field response derived experimentally and advanced numerical simulations are also included. The results of the analyses show that the period elongations of the SDOF structure caused by pile-soil-interactions may be significant, thus affecting the evaluation of structural response under earthquake loading. Implications on the assessment of existing structures and the design of new ones are discussed