Experimental investigation of plastic demands in piles embedded in multi-layered liquefiable soils

Multi-layered soil profiles, where one or more layers consist of loose liquefiable material, most commonly require pile foundations extending beyond the liquefiable layer to competent material. Under seismic loads, if the loose layer liquefies, then large localized plastic demands may be generated in the piles. To study this behavior and provide detailed data to validate numerical models, a 1-g shaking table experiment was conducted considering a single reinforced concrete pile embedded in a three-layer soil system. The model pile of 25 cm diameter was tested under increasing amplitude earthquake excitation in a sloped laminar soil box. The test specimen was designed at the lower bound of typical design to promote yielding, per ATC-32 (Applied Technology Council, 1996) [1]. The pile penetrated 7D (D=pile diameter) into a multi-layered soil configuration composed of a stiff uppermost crust overlying a saturated loose sand layer and a lower dense layer of sand. Plastic demands in the pile were characterized using curvature profiles coupled with back-calculation of the plastic hinge length and post-test physical observations. Results from this test quantify the post-yield behavior of the pile and serve as a complement to previously conducted centrifuge tests.

► The pile's region of plastic behavior was near the interface of the crust and loose sand layer. ► Location of plastic region of pile was consistent with field and prior tests observations. ► The pile's plastic region was spread over 1.5D length. ► Soil layer movements suggest that the pile may restrain the crust but not the loose sand layer.