Transient analysis of a fixed-head pile group in multi-layered transversely isotropic media due to horizontal loadings

This study presents a FEM-BEM coupled method to research the dynamic response of a fixed-head pile group in multi-layered transversely isotropic media subjected to transient horizontal loadings. Piles are discretized into finite elements on the basis of Euler-Bernoulli model. Fundamental transient solutions of the media derived by the analytical element method are taken as kernel boundary element functions. Then pile-soil interaction solutions are obtained using the FEM-BEM coupled method. Numerical examples are carried out to confirm the correctness of the theoretical derivation and to discuss further the influence of length-diameter ratio, transversely isotropic characteristics and stratification of the media on the transient horizontal response of the pile group.