Numerical Analysis of the Lateral Behavior of Geogrid-Strengthened Pile Foundation System Subjected to Machine-Induced Vibration

This paper presents a numerical study of the dynamic lateral behavior of geogrid-strengthened pile foundation systems embedded in layered soil medium subjected to rotating machine-induced vibration. Lateral dynamic responses of the single and 2 × 2 group pile foundation systems are studied without and with geogrid reinforcement using finite element software PLAXIS 3D for different intensities of dynamic force (0.01,0.02 and 0.03 kg-m). For geogrid-reinforced pile foundations, the geogrid is placed at a depth of L/8 (L = length of the pile = 0.6 m) from the top surface of the soil. The Mohr–Coulomb soil model is used to simulate the elastoplastic behavior of soil. The model is validated using the existing results presented in the literature. Results of the numerical analysis are presented in terms of frequency versus lateral displacement amplitude of the pile foundation. From the results, it is found that the inclusion of geogrid in the pile foundation system has improved the performance of both the single and group pile foundation system by reducing the amplitude of vibration. This is because of the increase in the stiffness of the foundation system due to the interlocking effect between the soil-pile geogrid systems.