Development of improved models for pile load bearing capacity, settlement and reliability analysis

Introduction. Safety of operation and durability of pile foundations and structures as a whole depend on the values of load bearing capacity of piles and reliability in the foundation soils. The key problem of pile analysis consists in reliable determination of its load bearing capacity values according to all performance criteria of the first and second groups of limit states, in revealing of reliable values of reliability (operation safety), economic efficiency and profitability. Materials and methods. One of the difficulties in detecting the value of the load bearing capacity of friction piles is to determine the values of friction and cohesive forces and their distribution over the side surface of the pile in the foundation soil when the loaded pile is immobilized (at rest). Results. Absence of reliable information on actual friction and cohesive force and, consequently, on actual load bearing capacity of a pile in the conditions of immobility does not allow to estimate its quality taking into account assurance of trouble-free operation (reliability) in real operating conditions at the pre-set operating load, it is impossible to predict the durability of a pile, to make a reasonable choice of pile shape and dimensions, etc. Another pile analysis problem is determining the value of pile settlement. The value of pile settlement is in some cases the most important indicator of the facility performance. Conclusions. New approaches to the operation of piles in the foundation soil on the basis of modern methods of reliability calculations with limited statistical information about controlled parameters are proposed. Improvement and development of pile calculation methods can be found in the calculation of deep trencher foundations, in the calculation of open caissons and caissons, the development of new statutory documents on pile foundations; as well as during training process of various universities and as a source for advanced training of specialists.