Time-dependent deviation of bridge pile foundations caused by adjacent large-area surcharge loads in soft soils and its preventive measures

Abstract

Time-dependent characteristics (TDCs) have been neglected in most previous studies investigating the deviation mechanisms of bridge pile foundations and evaluating the effectiveness of preventive measures. In this study, the stress-strain-time characteristics of soft soils were illustrated by consolidation-creep tests based on a typical engineering case. An extended Koppejan model was developed and then embedded in a finite element (FE) model via a user-material subroutine (UMAT). Based on the validated FE model, the time-dependent deformation mechanism of the pile foundation was revealed, and the preventive effect of applying micropiles and stress-release holes to control the deviation was investigated. The results show that the calculated maximum lateral displacement of the cap differs from the measured one by 6.5%, indicating that the derived extended Koppejan model reproduced the deviation process of the bridge cap-pile foundation with time. The additional load acting on the pile side caused by soil lateral deformation was mainly concentrated within the soft soil layer and increased with the increase in load duration. Compared with t = 3 d (where t is surcharge time), the maximum lateral additional pressure acting on Pile 2# increased by approximately 47.0% at t = 224 d. For bridge pile foundation deviation in deep soft soils, stress-release holes can provide better prevention compared to micropiles and are therefore recommended.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

bridge pile foundation / surcharge load / soft soil / time-dependent deformation / interaction mechanism / preventive measure

References

[1] Feng S, Wei L, He C, He Q. A computational method for post-construction settlement of high-speed railway bridge pile foundation considering soil creep effect. Journal of Central South University, 2014, 21(7): 2921–2927

[2] Shamsi M, Ghanbari A. Nonlinear dynamic analysis of qom monorail bridge considering soil-pile-bridge-train interaction. Transportation Geotechnics, 2020, 22: 100309

[3] Chen X, Zhang X, Zhang Y, Ding M, Wang Y. Hysteretic behaviors of pile foundation for railway bridges in loess. Geomechanics and Engineering, 2020, 20(4): 323–331

[4] Bian X, Liang Y, Zhao C, Dong L, Cai D. Centrifuge testing and numerical modeling of single pile and long-pile groups adjacent to surcharge loads in silt soil. Transportation Geotechnics, 2020, 25: 100399

[5] Ong D E L, Leung C F, Chow Y K. Behavior of pile groups subject to excavation-induced soil movement in very soft clay. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 2009, 135(10): 1462–1474

[6] Wei L, Zhang K, He Q, Zhang C. Mechanical response analysis for an active-passive pile adjacent to surcharge load. Applied Sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 2023, 13(7): 4196

[7] Stewart D P, Jewell R J, Randolph M F. Design of piled bridge abutments on soft clay for loading from lateral soil movements. Geotechnique, 1994, 44(2): 277–296

[8] Wang L Z, Chen K X, Hong Y, Ng C W W. Effect of consolidation on responses of a single pile subjected to lateral soil movement. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2015, 52(6): 769–782

[9] Li H, Wei L, Feng S, Chen Z. Behavior of piles subjected to surcharge loading in deep soft soils: Field tests. Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 2019, 37(5): 4019–4029

[10] Li S, Wei L, Feng S, He Q, Zhang K. Time-dependent interactions between passive piles and soft soils based on the extended Koppejan model. Rock and Soil Mechanics, 2022, 43: 2602–2614

[11] Zhang H, Sun K. Influence of surcharge load on the adjacent pile foundation in coastal floodplain. Insight-Civil Engineering, 2020, 3(1): 17–25

[12] Gu M, Cai X, Fu Q, Li H, Wang X, Mao B. Numerical analysis of passive piles under surcharge load in extensively deep soft soil. Buildings, 2022, 12(11): 1988

[13] Nimbalkar S, Basack S. Pile group in clay subjected to cyclic lateral load: Numerical modelling and design recommendation. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2022, 2022: 1–21

[14] Nimbalkar S, Basack S. Pile group in clay under cyclic lateral loading with emphasis on bending moment: Numerical modelling. Marine Georesources and Geotechnology, 2023, 41(3): 269–284

[15] TerzaghiK. Theoretical Soil Mechanic. New York: Wiley, 1940

[16] Tan T K. Secondary time effects and consolidation of clays. Scientia Sinica, 1958, 7(11): 1060–1075

[17] Sivakumar V, Moorhead M C, Donohue S, Serridge C J, Tripathy S, McKinley J, Doherty C. The initial, primary and secondary consolidation response of soft clay reinforced with a granular column under isolated loading. Geotechnique, 2021, 71(6): 467–479

[18] Hameedi M K, Fattah M Y, Al-Omari R R. Creep characteristics and pore water pressure changes during loading of water storage tank on soft organic soil. International Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2020, 14(5): 527–537

[19] Hara T, Yu Y, Ugai K. Behaviour of piled bridge abutments on soft ground: A design method proposal based on 2D elasto-plastic-consolidation coupled FEM. Computers and Geotechnics, 2004, 31(4): 339–355

[20] Karim M R, Lo S C R, Gnanendran C T. Behaviour of piles subjected to passive loading due to embankment construction. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2014, 51(3): 303–310

[21] Yang M, Shangguan S, Li W, Zhu B. Numerical study of consolidation effect on the response of passive piles adjacent to surcharge load. International Journal of Geomechanics, 2017, 17(11): 04017093

[22] Jiang G, Pang M, Xiao D, Li S, Han B. Additional effects on high-speed railway subgrade caused by newly-built flyover and treatment techniques. China Railway Science, 2013, 34(5): 6–14

[23] Li J, Chen W, Li N, Yuan B. Key technology of introducing ballastless track upon high-speed railway subgrade. Journal of Railway Engineering Society, 2017, 227(8): 22–27, 61

[24] Ma Y, Wang Y, Chen C. Force analysis and handling measures for offsetting of bridge passive piles under action of stacked load. Bridge Construction, 2014, 44(4): 22–26

[25] Shi G, Wu X. Design and implementation of deviation rectifying scheme for pile foundations of piers of a bridge. Bridge Construction, 2015, 45(1): 97–102

[26] TG/GW115-2012. Maintenance Code for Ballastless Track of High-speed Railway. Beijing: China Ministry of Railways, 2012 (in Chinese)

[27] Ke Z, Zhang D. A research over the limit value standard for transversal deformation of railway bridges. Railway Standard Design, 2004, (7): 129–133+159

[28] Design standard and interpretation of railway structures: Concrete structure. Tokyo: Japanese Civil Society, 2000

[29] GBT50123-2019. Standard for Geotechnical Testing Method. Beijing: Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China, 2019 (in Chinese)

[30] FengS. Post-construction settlement characteristics of pile foundation for high-speed railway bridge in deep soft soil region. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Changsha: Central South University, 2014 (in Chinese)

[31] Mesri G, Febrescordero E, Shields D R, Castro A. Shear stress−strain−time behaviour of clays. Geotechnique, 1982, 32(4): 407–411

[32] Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp. ABAQUS Analysis User’s Manual Version 6.16, 2016

[33] Koppejan A W. A formula combining the Terzaghi load compression relationship and the Buisman secular time effect. In: Proceedings of 2nd ICSMFE. Rotterdam: University Microfilms International, 1948, 272: 32–37

[34] Wang H, Wei L, He X. Determination of three-dimensional rheologic parameters based on long-term oedometer test. Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2006, 28(5): 669–673

[35] Hong Y, Ng C, Wang L Z. Initiation and failure mechanism of base instability of excavations in clay triggered by hydraulic uplift. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2015, 52(5): 599–608

[36] JGJ79-2012. Technical Code for Ground Treatment of Buildings. Beijing: Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China, 2012 (in Chinese)

[37] GB50010-2010. Code for Design of Concrete Structures. Beijing: Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China, 2010 (in Chinese)

[38] Wang C, Li J L, Wang X, Hao B Y. Study on the effect of hole to release stresses on compaction effect during jacked pile driving. Building Science, 2012, 28: 34–37

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Research Project of Jiangxi Education Department (Nos. GJJ2201509 and GJJ2201501), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51878671, 51969018, and 52378344), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (No. 20224BAB204076), and the Young Scientific and Technological Talents Sponsorship Project in Ganpo Juncai Support Program (No. 2023QT08).

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press