Analytical evaluation of reducing bending moment in piles with soil cement partial improvement

ABSTRACT

The authors have developed a new code for three-dimensional nonlinear analysis based on effective stress to assess the dynamic response of structures on liquefiable ground. The object of this paper is to study using the new code the effectiveness of some remediation methods as a means to protect a group pile foundation from soil liquefaction hazard. Four types of foundation supporting a rigid structure are considered 1) end-bearing piles in unimproved ground, 2) end-bearing piles in the ground improved with sand compaction piles, 3)end-bearing piles and a "soil cement ring", 4) end-bearing piles and a "soil cement block". The study shows that the remedial measures of Case 3 and Case 4 reduce remarkably the magnitude of the internal forces in the piles, even though the size of the soil improvement is smaller than that of the other methods.(AU)