Length Influences on Lateral Performance of Barrette from Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis

Abstract

The performance of a single barrette subjected to the lateral load applied at its top is presented in this paper using three-dimensional finite element analyses based on the Midas GTS program. Nonlinear behaviors of the barrettes buried in clayey and sandy soils were monitored using the Mohr-Coulomb soil model. Performances of the barrettes with lateral loads applied in both longitudinal and transverse directions were examined. Displacements of the barrettes affected by stiffness and strength of the soils were obtained and normalized with the nominal length of the barrette. The criteria for long and rigid barrettes with loads in different directions were suggested. For the barrettes with loads in the transverse direction, the conventional analytical solution suggested by Chang for a single pile was found applicable to the predictions. In such a case, the equivalent diameter calculated from the moment of inertia of the barrette was found more adequate to be used in the analytical solution. The results of this study can help the engineers to understand more about the barrette performance under lateral loads.

Keywords

• barrette
• finite element analysis
• lateral performance
• horizontal load
• flexibility
• chang’s formulas