Numerical analysis of foundations supported by rammed aggregate piers

Principal Investigator:

David White, djwhite@iastate.edu (other projects)

Project Status: In Progress

Start Date: 01/01/2004
End Date: 08/01/2005


Research Objective: The main objective of this research project is to develop a numerical modeling based on finite element method that provides an insight into the complex pier-soil interactions and the stress distribution underneath footings supported by rammed aggregate piers. Material properties and model parameters used in the analysis are derived from various in-situ and laboratory tests. The performance of the model is verified by comparing the analytical results with the actual data collected from in-situ load tests conducted at a site in southern Iowa.

Research Plan: It is envisioned that the numerical model developed in this study will be capable of taking stress-dependent modulus parameters of the matrix soil and the aggregate into account. Parametric studies performed as a part of this research may also be used to develop an advanced design approach for Geopier foundation system in which the complex pier-soil interaction is considered. It is also expected that the findings from this numerical study may contribute to the understanding of the behavior of floating pile foundation systems.

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