Comparative Analysis of Settlement and Efficiencies of Pile Groups with Different Configurations Using FEM

This study intends to investigate the settlement response of different configurations of group of piles subjected to compressive load. Using Plaxis 3D, large diameter cylindrical concrete piles were modelled as statically loaded single and in groups and numerical analysis were carried out. Load-settlement curves obtained from numerical analysis are utilized to estimate the efficiency coefficient of pile groups. Settlement response of the single pile from numerical analysis is validated with field test results obtained from published literature. Sensitivity analysis was carried out with different mesh sizes for optimization of results. The study indicates the decrease in efficiency coefficient with the increase in number of piles in group due to overlapping of stresses. Analysis of concentrically loaded single row pile groups shows that individual contribution of piles to the total group resistance decreases with increasing distance from the center of the group. Pertinence of the efficiency coefficient obtained from numerical analysis is assessed by comparing the results with those calculated from the well-known formulas available in public sources. Furthermore, results from analysis of selective pile group with Hardening Soil Model show marginally higher capacity as compared to Mohr–Coulomb model particularly for higher settlements.