Blast response and failure analysis of pile foundations subjected to surface explosion

• Published in: Engineering failure analysis 2014-04, Vol.39, p.41-54
• Main Authors: Jayasinghe, L.B., Thambiratnam, D.P., Perera, N., Jayasooriya, J.H.A.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coupled analysis; Design analysis; Explosions; Failure; Failure analysis; Mathematical models; Pile damage; Pile foundation; Pile foundations; Piles; Reinforced concrete; Soil (material); Surface explosion
• ISSN: 1350-6307; 1873-1961
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2014.01.013

•Response of reinforced concrete pile to a surface explosion is treated.•Fully coupled computer simulation techniques are used in the analysis.•Axial load and boundary conditions at pile head influence pile response.•Number of piles and spacing between them have an effect on the pile group response.•Findings of this paper will serve as a reference for future analysis and design. This paper presents the response of pile foundations to ground shocks induced by surface explosion using fully coupled and non-linear dynamic computer simulation techniques together with different material models for the explosive, air, soil and pile. It uses the Arbitrary Lagrange Euler coupling formulation with proper state material parameters and equations. Blast wave propagation in soil, horizontal pile deformation and pile damage are presented to facilitate failure evaluation of piles. Effects of end restraint of pile head and the number and spacing of piles within a group on their blast response and potential failure are investigated. The techniques developed and applied in this paper and its findings provide valuable information on the blast response and failure evaluation of piles and will provide guidance in their future analysis and design.