Effect of Inclination Angle on the Response of Double-row Retaining Piles: Experimental and Numerical Investigation

• Main Authors: Jinbi Ye, Chenfei Wang, Weipeng Huang, Jing Zhang, Xianqi Zhou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Slavonski Brod, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek, Faculty of Civil Engineering in Osijek 2020-01-01
• Series: Tehnički Vjesnik
• Subjects: double-row contiguous retaining batter piles; foundation pit; inclination angle; optimization method; physical model test
• Online Access: https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/351986
• ISSN: 1330-3651; 1848-6339

The excavation depth of foundation pits has been increasing along with the continuous development of underground space and high-rise buildings. As a result, traditional double-row vertical piles cannot meet the ground settlement and deflection requirements. This study proposed a double-row pile optimization method to extend the suitability of double-row retaining piles to greater excavation depth. The optimization model was established by adjusting the inclination angle of the front and rear piles. Physical scale model tests were performed to analyze the effect of the inclination angle on the pile head displacements and bending moments during excavations and step loadings using three schemes, namely, traditional double-row piles with vertical piles, double-row contiguous retaining piles with batter pile in the front row, and double-row contiguous retaining piles with batter pile in both rows. Numerical simulations were also conducted to verify the effectiveness of the inclination angle adjustment in optimizing the double-row piles. Results indicate that the increase in the displacement and bending moment of the double-row contiguous retaining batter piles is not evident during excavation and step loading when compared with those of the double-row vertical piles and the double-row contiguous retaining piles with batter pile in the front row. Thus, double-row contiguous retaining batter piles can be used in deep foundation pits. The tilt angle is also excessively small to reduce the lateral displacement of the foundation pit, and the optimal tilt angle is 8° – 16°. Although the embedment depth can influence the deformation of the double-row contiguous retaining batter piles significantly, a critical embedment depth may be reached. The findings of this study can provide references for the optimization of double-row piles in foundation pits.