Mathematical models and solution algorithms for computational design of RC piles under structural effects

The paper presents mathematical models and solution algorithms for RC pile design, through scanning soil stratums from top to downwards with an interactive scanner band. The equilibrium of transferred loads from the superstructure, friction forces and tip bearing forces are considered for the design, which leads to optimum pile length. The most important contribution of this research for designers is supplying an efficient tool to obtain optimum pile length and reinforced concrete design of pile foundation systems. A program package has been developed in MATLAB depending on the proposed algorithm. Soil behaviors depending on external effects, active and passive zone distributions are considered. All possible effects in all freedom degrees are taken into account in design process. Stress and strain distributions due to axial loads, bending moments, shear forces and torsional moments may be monitored. The optimum pile length, cross section dimension and reinforcement details may be found by using developed algorithm.In this study, a dynamic layer object has been produced to find optimum pile length. In solution process, this layer is compressed to a scanner band to find more optimal pile length. This scanner band moves from up to down and stops whenever optimum length is found. During this movement, all bearing capacity controls are carried out considering soil effects. Reinforced concrete design is also achieved depending on external loads. The flowcharts and computer codes developed for pile design is presented in the paper in detail. Finally, numerical solutions of axially and multi-loaded piles as deep foundation systems are presented. The design procedure of given examples are demonstrated through the proposed algorithms. The optimum length, cross section dimension and reinforcement details are presented.