Graduation Year
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.C.E.
Degree Name
MS in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.)
Degree Granting Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Major Professor
Gray Mullins, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Michael Stokes, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Zachary B. Haber, Ph.D.
Keywords
Negative Skin Friction, Pile Settlement
Abstract
The behavior of piles under varying load conditions has sparked significant interest and research within the geotechnical engineering field. Specifically, in the context of MSE wall-type embankments, piles are installed before embankment construction commences. In these scenarios, soil settlement beneath the embankment initiates following pile installation, consequently generating downward lateral shear loads on the piles, known as downdrag.
Research pertaining to the downdrag phenomenon in cohesionless granular soils is limited. Hence, the primary focus of this study revolves around examining the impact of downdrag on pile performance in sandy soils using numerical modeling as the investigative approach. To accomplish this, an advanced finite element model was developed to simulate how piles respond to downdrag forces, encompassing a realistic representation of soil-pile interaction.
The results suggest a correlation between the magnitude of drag forces and the settlement of the surrounding soil. These findings highlight the importance of downdrag forces as they constitute one of the most significant permanent loads that the piles experience. Consequently, a comprehensive assessment of downdrag should be carried out for all piles in situations where embankments are built after the pile installation.
Scholar Commons Citation
Pendyala, Ruthvik, "Effects of Downdrag on Pile Performance" (2023). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10076
