A 3D FEM Model for Laterally Loaded Drilled Shafts in Rock

Drilled shafts socketed into rock have been widely used as a foundation system for bridges to resist lateral loads. This paper presents a 3D finite element model to simulate the lateral response of drilled shafts in rock mass using ABAQUS. As an application of the modeling, the push-pull moment resistance, which is attributed to the mobilization of push and pull vertical side shear forces on shaft due to the rotation of a drilled shaft under moments, is investigated. It is found that the push-pull resistance is not significant for a large diameter drilled shaft in rock under large moments.