Comparative Analysis of Embedded Beam Rows and Volume Elements in the Modeling of a Pile-Supported Bridge Pier

This study investigates the differences between modeling piles as Embedded Beam Rows and Volume Elements in supporting a pier foundation under dynamic loading. Using PLAXIS۲D, the system was analyzed under uni-directional and bi-directional excitations derived from the Northridge earthquake. The results show that both modeling approaches captured the vertical load transfer mechanism; however, the foundation settlement in the Volume Element model was found to be about five times larger due to its explicit representation of pile-soil contact, allowing for soil yielding and nonlinear deformation. The Embedded Beam Row model, using simplified linear springs, produced a stiffer response and smaller settlements. Additionally, the horizontal acceleration at the tower head was higher than at the foundation, mainly due to dynamic amplification and the tower’s flexible cantilever behavior. The study highlights the strengths and limitations of each modeling technique, offering insights for future seismic analyses of pile-supported structures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Soil-pile-structure interaction ، Embedded Beam Row ، Volume Element ، finite element modeling ، Plaxis۲d