Finite and Infinite Pile Groups Seismic Response Induced-Lateral Spreading in the Liquefiable Soil: 3d Parallel Finite Element

Knowledge about the large finite pile group response during the lateral spreading of a liquefiable site is limited. This paper evaluates the influences of pile number (N) and its position on the seismic response of finite and infinite pile groups in the sloping liquefiable soil via the three-dimensional parallel finite element. The numerical model was calibrated and verified in the literature. The result shows the importance of these parameters in the analysis and design for the pile groups, while they are not considered in the current design codes (such as JRA and API). The JRA code overestimates the monotonic soil pressure in the infinite pile group and underestimates it in the finite pile group. In other words, the difference between the computed soil pressure from JRA and the numerical model decreases with N. Introducing the asymmetry ratio (AR) in the acceleration response, AR decreases with N. Also, the seismic responses increase in corner piles with the N due to the increasing stiffness of the model. Subsidence at the downslope side of the pile group and heave at the upslope side of the one occurs and increases with the N.