Analysis of Bored Pile Subjected to Machine Vibration: an Insight into the Influence of the Soil-Pile Interface Coefficient

Settlement limitation is one of the major concerns for the designers of machine foundation as machines are very sensitive to settlement. This restricted criterion necessitates the need for deep foundations as using deep foundations reduces the settlement. However, little attention is given in past studies regarding the dynamic response of bored piles subjected to machine vibrations. Specifically, no attention is given to the influence of the soil-pile interface coefficient on the dynamic response of bored pile. Thus, this research aimed to fulfill this gap by examining the response of bored pile subjected to vibration using finite element analysis. Seven hundred eighty scenarios have been examined to study the effect of the vibration frequency, length to diameter ratio of the pile, and soil-pile coefficient of interface on the dynamic response of bored pile. It has been noted that increasing the pile length to diameter ratio reduces the dynamic settlement. In addition, the coefficient of interface is found to remarkably affect the resonant frequency of the soil-pile system. Furthermore, increasing the coefficient of friction decreases the dynamic settlement; however, the percentage reduction is controlled by the resonant frequency. Finally, design charts of dynamic impedance have been developed to enable the use of the results in practical designs.