Three-dimensional dynamic analysis of pile foundations by using finite element method

In recent years, there is a dramatic progress in the development of theories for dynamic analysis of piles. The finite element method is a numerical approximation procedure to analyze physical problems by transforming them into mathematical models. This needs to be done numerically because it is either too complicated or impossible to solve problems by classical analytical methods. In this study, a three- dimensional analysis by using finite element method will be adopted to predict the displacement response of pile foundation due to dynamic loads. A case study is carried out to investigate the effect of particles size of soil, length of pile, spacing between piles and pile cap size on the dynamic response of pile foundations. The results indicate that, the maximum amplitude of displacement of pile foundation under dynamic loads can be occurred in loose sand in comparison with the other types of sand. In addition, the increase in pile length will lead to decrease in the amplitude of displacement due to increases in the mass of the foundation.