A BEM-FEM model for studying dynamic impedances of piles in elastic soils

Abstract

This paper shows a BEM-FEM coupling model for the dynamic analysis of piles and pile groups embedded in an elastic half-space. Piles are modelled using Finite Elements (FEM) as a beam according to the Bernoulli hypothesis, while the soil is modelled using Boundary Elements (BEM) as a continuum, semi-infinite, isotropic, homogeneous, linear, viscoelastic medium. It is assumed that the soil is not disturbed by the piles, and the tractions at the pile-soil interface are considered as a load applied within the half-space. Finally, in order to validate the model, selected numerical results will be presented and compared with other reference values taken from the literature.