Earthquake Induced Kinematic Forces on Pile Foundations in Layered Medium

The kinematic forces induced on piles in two-layered soil medium are investigated using finite element method. Typical layered subsurface condition with the soil properties relevant to Sri Lanka are considered in the present study. Hyperbolic nonlinear constitutive model is used for the soil medium and the soil medium is modelled as a fully coupled system. The effect of the earthquake was simulated by lateral ground acceleration applied to the bedrock. The validity of the results of the proposed model was established by comparing with the trends observed in similar studies reported in the literature. The effects of the stiffness of the soil layers, pile diameter, fixity at the pile head, and a defect present at the layer interface on the kinematic forces are investigated in the present study. Finally, the use of the results of the present study in the design and construction of bored and cast insitu concrete in Sri Lanka are highlighted.