Predicting the axial capacity of piles in sand

Currently, although several tools have been proposed for the numerical modelling of the pile-soil interface, there is not a well-established framework concerning the quantitative impact that different estimations of the mechanical properties of this setting have on the prediction of the bearing capacity of piles. With reference to the results of a finite element prediction of a centrifuge test on a pile in saturated sand, this paper presents a sensitivity analysis based on a design of experiment approach in an effort to solve this problem. The work proves the contribution of specific material parameters to the variation of the analyses results. Furthermore, the work highlights fundamental aspects to consider when modelling pile-related problems through the finite element method, looking at a comparable adherence to physical reality of the results.