| Abstract: | Tapered piles represent a more equitable distribution of the pile material in several respects. In order to study their efficiency over piles of uniform section with the same material input, a three-dimensional finite element analysis is developed. The numerical procedure accounts for the non-linear elastic behaviour of both the soil and the pile-soil interface. In order to include the latter, which involves relative slip and debonding, zero/non-zero thickness interface elements are used. Three shapes of cross-section, viz. circular, square and triangular, have been attempted for the piles. The load-settlement behaviour under axial load predicted by the analysis is compared with laboratory test results obtained on instrumented model piles, installed as ‘replacement’ piles, and the fit obtained is found to be reasonably good. Also examined are interface shear and axial force in the pile, displacement and stress fields in the medium and the progression of failure in the latter. |
