Centrifuge and Numerical Simulation of Pile Supported Slab Track System Behavior on Soft Soil under Seismic Loading

Abstract

Piles installed to increase bearing capacities of super structures in soft soil layers are vulnerable to horizontal loads such as seismic loads. This study aims to verify the stability of piles used for a pile supported slab track system using dynamic centrifuge test and numerical analysis. First of all, validation of the numerical analysis method was performed by comparing the seismic response from the two methods: dynamic centrifuge test and its numerical model. Verifications were also obtained for four different centrifuge test model setups. Numerical models were designed similar to the physical models on a prototype scale. The numerical method solves the dynamic problem by an explicit method in the time-integration stage. The acceleration response of the slab track and bending moment of the pile show good agreement between the two methods. Based on the verified numerical analysis model, the parametric studies for embankment thickness and soft ground stiffness were performed, in addition, the seismic stability of pile supported slab track was evaluated.