Numerical investigation on the optimal location of floating piles in slope under seismic

Location of floating piles is one of the main factors influencing on their optimal performance with respect to slope stability improvement. Many studies have been devoted to this concern using different analytical methods. Due to the importance of this issue in seismic conditions, still more studies are necessary and therefore, the location of floating piles has been investigated in this research using finite element method under seismic conditions. Three parameters including soil arching, crest settlement and pile bending moment has been considered in investigations. Using load transfer factor, soil arching can be suitably quantified and then utilized in numerical analyses. A comprehensive coupled numerical analysis has been carried out in order to examine the optimal location. With the purpose of considering soil's increasing elasticity modulus in depth, a FORTRAN code was developed. To obtain authentic results, modeling has been verified by comparing numerical results with an experimental research which was performed previously. The results showed that the optimal location which causes the highest stability level is the first middle of up-slope (XP/LH = 0.5 - 0.75).