Centrifuge model tests of cantilever pile supported foundation pit

Publication Title
Centrifuge model tests of cantilever pile supported foundation pit

Abstract

The rapid advancement of urbanization has led to a growing prevalence of large-scale foundation pits. As a retaining structure with simple geometry and convenient construction, cantilever piles are extensively utilized in various supporting systems. In order to simplify the calculation model in numerical simulation, the cantilever pile is usually equated to diaphragm wall using equivalent stiffness method. However, this method cannot reasonably consider the pile-soil interaction. Three centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the effects of pile length and pile spacing on the stress and deformation characteristics of the structure and failure response of the soil. The results show that increasing the pile length and decreasing the pile spacing could reduce the deformation of the supporting piles and the soil, but the displacement distribution pattern was maintained. The reduction of pile spacing was more significant for the deformation control of the foundation pit than pile length. The maximum values of bending moment of the supporting piles were located above the excavation surface, and the position of the maximum axial force was at the bottom of the pile. Both the longer supporting piles and the smaller pile spacing reduced the bending moment and axial force. The retained soil cracked at a distance of 0.4-0.6 times pile length from the supporting piles, and the deformation localization occurred there. The supporting effect was improved by reducing the deformation localization.

Authors
Xue Xiaomeng; Ga Zhang

Published In

11th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG2026)

Theme

Special Session 6: Physical modelling for life-cycle foundation management