Fernández-Valdez, Sixto F.

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  • Publication
    Influencia de la rigidez a la flexión del pilote sobre las curvas P-Y de suelos arenosos
    (2009-12) Fernández-Valdez, Sixto F.; Pando-López, Miguel A.; College of Engineering; Ramos, Ricardo; Suárez, Luis E.; Department of Civil Engineering; Shafiq, Basir
    The laterally loaded pile problem involves a fourth order differential equation, where a complex relationship between the lateral deflections of the pile and the reactions generated by the surrounding soil take place. A common method of solution for this problem is by using numerical methods like the finite difference technique, where the soil reactions are modeled using springs with non-linear constitutive relationships denominated p-y curves. Conventional Geotechnical practice usually use empirical p-y curves published in the literature. In all these empirical p-y curves, the soil reaction is related to the soil properties, stress levels, and the pile width. In other words, according to these p-y curves the soil reactions are not dependant on pile properties like pile cross sectional shape and flexural stiffness (EI). The flexural stiffness (EI) affects directly the deflected shape of the pile and the shape and extension of the failure zone of the soil around the pile. The principal objective of this thesis is to evaluate the influence of the pile flexural stiffness on the reactions that are generated on the soil. Specifically, an analytical study of the influence of the pile flexural stiffness on the reactions that are generated on the soil using the SWM software base con the Strain Wedge model was carried out. A parametric study and also an analysis of 3 lateral load test of the Hampton, Virginia case history were carried. In both components of this thesis only sandy soils without cohesion were considered. The results of this study demonstrate that the pile flexural stiffness is an important pile property that influences the soil reactions. It was found that the pile flexural stiffness influence mainly the reactions generated in medium dense to dense sandy soils.