Centrifuge and numerical modeling of axial load effects on piles in consolidating ground

This paper reports the results of four centrifuge model tests that were undertaken to investigate behavior of floating piles subjected to negative skin friction (NSF) and to study effects of axial load on the load-transfer mechanism along single floating piles and shielded center piles inside a group of sacrificing piles. In addition, three-dimensional numerical analyses of the centrifuge model tests were carried out with elasto-plastic slip considered at the pile-soil interface. Prior to applying load, the measured neutral plane position of the single floating piles was located at approximately the three-quarter depth level of the embedded pile length. The neutral plane elevation shifts lower down the pile shaft as the distance of pile tip above the bearing stratum decreases. Under the application of axial load, the dragload generated by excessive soil settlement decreases and is eventually eliminated. The amount of axial load for complete NSF elimination does not seem to be significantly affected by the presence of sacrificing piles, but it does increase with end-bearing stiffness of the pile. Numerical simulation revealed that the hang-up effect is not altered by the application of axial load.