PILE GROUP EFFECTS

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

Pile group arrangements for Onshore Structures

Pile
Cap

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

Pile group arrangements for 4 legged platform

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

Pile group arrangements for 8 legged platform

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

Pile group arrangements for 8 legged platform

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

STRESS DISTRIBUTION AROUND THE PILE

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

PILE GROUP EFFECTS

Considerable research work on the effect of pile spacing on the axial and
lateral capacity has been carried out. API RP 2A suggests that the piles
when installed in a group in several geometry, when the distance
between the piles are closure than 8D where D is the diameter of the
piles, the pile group effect shall be evaluated.
Following effects shall be evaluated

EFFECT ON VERTICAL AXIAL CAPACITY

EFFECT ON LATERAL CAPACITY
EFFECT ON LOAD DISPLACEMENT CURVES
T-Z EFFECTS
Q-Z EFFECTS
P-Y EFFECTS

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

GROUP EFFECT ON VERTICAL AXIAL CAPACITY

The piles in offshore platforms such as jackets, piles are spaced at less
than 8 D since the larger spacing will be difficult to arrange connect to
jacket legs. It is a general practice to limit the spacing to 3D and evaluate
the effects on the axial capacity.
Hence normally no degradation in axial capacity is required if the pile
spacing is greater than 3D. If the spacing is less than 3D, then the
efficiency of pile group can be evaluated using the following approach.
Axial Capacity of a pile in a group = Axial Capacity of individual pile x
where
=

5th Apr 2013

Ultimate load capacity of group

sum of ultimate load capacities of
individual piles

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

METHOD BY LABARRE FORMULA

n 1 m m 1 n
1
/ 90
mn

Where
m=number of rows
n=number of piles in a row
= tan-1( D/S), in degrees
D=pile diameter
S=center-to-center spacing
of piles

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

METHOD BY TERAZAGHI AND PECK

In order to obtain a more realistic estimate of the ultimate load
capacity of a group, the following empirical relationship is suggested:

1
1
1

Pu 2 n 2 P12 PB 2
Where
Pu=ultimate load capacity of group
P1=ultimate load capacity of single pile
n=number of piles in group
PB=ultimate load capacity of block
The above equation may be re expressed as follows
Where

2 2
n
P1
1
1
2
PB 2

=group efficiency
5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

10

Effect on Axial Load and Displacement

The effect of axial load on adjacent pile is taken into consideration in
the following form
Reduced axial capacity (Static)
Increased deflection (t-Z)
Increased deflection can be calculated using method proposed by
Randolf based on empirical formula as a Z multiplier.
The increased deflection is calculated as
z=z zm
Where
(1+v) is called zm multiplier.

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

11

INTERACTION DUE TO AXIAL LOAD

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

12

EFFECT ON AXIAL LOAD - DEFLECTION (t-Z) CURVE

Groups effects in axial load for load displacement behaviour can be
incorporated as increased deflection due to load from adjacent pile
by a multiplier called z multiplier

zm 1 v
Where v depends on spacing and diameter of piles.

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

13

TWO PILE GROUP AND FAILURE ZONE

S > 3D

S < 3D
5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

14

THREE PILE GROUP AND FAILURE ZONE

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

15

TWO PILE GROUP EFFICIENCY FOR AXIAL LOAD

2S D

2 D

D
2

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

16

CALCULATION OF AZIAL INTRACTION

FACTOR FOR (t-Z)
Length of pile

=L

Poissons ratio of soil =

Modulus of soil = soil
Modulus of steel = p
Ratio of soil modulus at
L/2 to the soil modulus L

Relative stiffness

5th Apr 2013

E soil at L/2
E soil at L

KR

E p .I p
E soil . L4

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

17

CALCULATION OF AZIAL INTRACTION FACTOR FOR (t-Z)

Interaction Factor v
zm multiplier

Displacement of pile due load on the adjacent pile

Displacement of pile due to its load

zm 1 v
1

Interaction Factor
Relative length
and Spacing
Where

5th Apr 2013

1 1
(1 ) .
1

1 (1 ). .

L
D

m2
ln 2

S
D

m 2.5(1 ) L

ln 2. m
D

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

18

Effect of Spacing ratio on v

L/D = 10
KR

= 0.5

S/D
D/S

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

19

Effect of Spacing ratio on v

L/D = 25

= 0.5

KR

S/D

5th Apr 2013

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

20

Effect of Spacing ratio on v

L/D = 50

= 0.5

KR

S/D
D/S

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

21

Effect of Spacing ratio on v

KR

L/D = 100

= 0.5

S/D
D/S

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

22

EFFECT Es on Pile settlement

L/D = 50

= 0.5

h/L =

S/D
D/S

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

23

Capacity

T-Z Curve with T Multiplier for End Bearing

displacement
5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

24

t-Z Curve with t Multiplier for Skin friction

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

25

t-Z Curve with z Multiplier for Skin friction

zm

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

26

t-Z Curve with z Multiplier for End Bearing

zm

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

27

Effect on Lateral Load Capacity and Displacement

The effect of Lateral Capacity on adjacent pile is taken into
consideration in the following form
Reduced Lateral capacity (Static)
Increased Lateral deflection (p-y)
Increased deflection can be calculated using method proposed by
Poulos based on empirical formula as a y multiplier.
The increased deflection is calculated as
y=y ym
Where
(1+h) is called ym multiplier.

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

28

GROUP EFFECT ON LATERAL LOAD CAPACITY

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

29

Lateral Deflection of a pile in a group

Lateral deflection of a pile in a group due to loads
on other piles plus load on that pile can be
expressed as

yi y Pj hij Pi
k

j 1

Where

= horizontal displacement of single pile due to

unit applied horizontal load
yi = horizontal displacement of pile i
Pj = horizontal load on pile j
hij = y multiplier factor
Pi = horizontal load on pile i

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

30

y Multipliers p-y curve

ym

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

31

Establishment of Esoil value for layered soil

The above chart can be developed by any

software with Pile Soil Interaction facility
5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

32

Establishment of Esoil value for layered soil

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

33

Using chart to obtain h

1. Initial value of Esoil can be obtained
from vertical load deflection curve
2. Calculate the KR value using

KR

E p .I p
E soil . L4

3. Obtain IpF from the chart for the

given value of L/d and KR
4. Esoil value can be back calculated
using for the lateral load of L, IpF, Ph
and h

E soil

I p F Ph

5. Recalculate the value of KR

KR

E p .I p

h .L

E soil . L4

6. Read chart to obtain ah the value of

KR and
5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

34

Influence Factor

Use of Charts
h=

hF

Additional displacement caused by adjacent pile

Displacement of pile caused by its own loading
Additional rotation caused by adjacent pile
Rotation of pile caused by its own loading

hp, p = values of h and for a free-head

pile subjected to horizontal load
hm, m = values of h and for a freehead pile subjected to moment

KR

5th Apr 2013

hF
IhF

= value of h for fixed headed pile

= Influence factor for fixed headed pile

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

35

Interaction factor h for Fixed Headed Pile

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hF

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hF

S/D

5th Apr 2013

S/D

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

36

Interaction factor h for Fixed Headed Pile

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hF

hF

S/D
S/D

5th Apr 2013

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

37

Interaction factor hp for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hp

S/D

5th Apr 2013

hp

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

S/D

D/S

38

Interaction factor hp for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hp

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hp

S/D

5th Apr 2013

S/D

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

39

Interaction factor hm and m for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hm

hm

&

&

S/D

5th Apr 2013

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

S/D

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

40

Interaction factor hm and m for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

hm

hm

&

&

S/D

5th Apr 2013

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

S/D

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

41

Interaction factor m for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

S/D

5th Apr 2013

S/D

D/S

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

42

Interaction factor m for Free Headed Piles

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

= 0.5
= 0
= 90

S/D

5th Apr 2013

D/S

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

S/D

D/S

43

CALCULATION OF PILE GROUP EFFECT BY RANDOLF & WORTH METHOD

5

Young's Modulus of pile

EP 2 10 MPa

Diameter/thickness of pile

D 2134 mm

Length of pile below mud-level

Lp 85 m

Pile spacing

S 4.38 m

Poisson's ratio

0.5

Modulus ratio

0.5

tp 50 mm

(Linear modulus)

is the ratio of EsL/2/ EsL (a measure of the in-homogenity of the soil profile along the pile shaft
= 1 for a constant modulus profile
= 0.5 for a linear distribution of modulus with depth
where EsL is the soil modulus at the pile tip &
EsL/2 is the soil modulus at depth of L/2
Pile area

AP

2
2
D D 2 tp
4

AP 0.33 m

Moment of Inertia of pile

IP

4
4
D D 2 tp
64

IP 0.18 m

Parameters

Lp
D

39.83

5th Apr 2013

S
D

2.05

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

0.49

44

A) AXIAL DEFORMATION OF PILE BY RANDOLF

Various Factors

m 2.5 ( 1 ) Lp

m 53.13 m

ln 2

3.91

m2

ln 2
Dm
1
Interaction Factor for axial

S
D
S

7.88

1 1

( 1 )

1 ( 1 )

zm 1 v

5th Apr 2013

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

v 0.463

zm 1.46

45

B) LATERAL DEFORMATION OF PILE BY POULOS

Soil Modulus calculation by pile settlement with SACS
Initial value of Esoil obtained from vertical load displacement
relationship

Esoil 605712

Lateral pile load from Inplace analysis

Ph 1.7 MN

Pile Lateral displacement from SACS single pile analysis

h 9.923 cm

Initial vaslue of KR

KR

kN
2

EP IP
Esoil Lp

KR 1.12 10

IPF 18

Influence factor obtained from chart

Esoil

Revised value of Esoil

KR

Revised value of KR

IPF Ph
Esoil 3.63 MPa

h Lp
EP IP
Esoil Lp

KR 2 10

Departure angle is the angle between the line joining the pile centers and the direction of loading
refer figure above
Departure angle

45 deg

With , (L/d), KR, and (S/d) values, Interaction factor is read from the graph
ym 1 h

5th Apr 2013

h 0.458
ym 1.46

Dr. S.Nallayarasu,
Department of Ocean Engineering
IIT Madras Chennai-36.

46