Analysis of static axial load capacity of single piles and large diameter shafts using nonlinear load transfer curves

A modified analytical model is proposed in this study for the analysis of pile axial load capacity with the load transfer method using nonlinear T-z and Q-z curves to model soil-pile behavior in skin friction or side shear and end bearing respectively. The method uses a three-dimensional (3D) pile model using solid finite elements with nonlinear load transfer curves resolved into components and mobilized around the pile perimeter. The use of multiple T-z component springs is demonstrated to accurately capture the total side resistance of the pile. The 3D pile method produces results of predicted pile axial load capacities from the load-settlement curves comparable to the one-dimensional analysis (1D) method. For a combined vertical and lateral loading on the pile, the proposed 3D pile method can address the limitation of the 1D pile method having vertical and lateral springs only acting at the pile center without rotational springs, which neglects the contribution of the side shear in the computation of pile bending moments. In the case of 3D pile model the moment or couple developed by the side shear around the perimeter can be taken into account, where this moment can be significant especially in strong soil material or in the case of large diameter pile/shafts.