Numerical study on load capacity behavior of tapered pile foundations

作者：Zhan Yun Gang^*; Wang Hong; Liu Fu Chen

来源：Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 2012, 17 N: 1969-1980.

• Load capacity
• Numerical studies
• Shaft resistance
• Taper angles

Two series of axially loading tapered piles in sands were analyzed by using finite element method to study its load capacity behaviour. Shaft resistance increasing with taper angle was observed in numerical analysis, but merit of load capacity of tapered piles in comparison with straight-side wall piles was found only in sands with lower dilatancy. There exists an optimum taper angle for piles in homogeneous sands, at which the load capacity is 12% over that of straight-side wall pile foundation. For the case that there exist weaker sediments under the bottom of pile, the load capacity increases directly with increase of taper angle. A conclusion that tapered piles are more suitable for floating pile foundations can be drawn from the numerical analyses.

• 出版日期2012