FINITE ELEMENT METHOD ANALYSIS ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF EXISTING CAISSON FOUNDATION REINFORCED BY STEEL PIPE SHEET PILES

Abstract

Authorized reasonable design method for steel pipe sheet pile reinforcement method for existing caisson foundation in water has not been established, because reinfrocement effect and lateral load ratio transferred to SPSP wall are not clear. In this research, the detail of mechanical behavior of caisson foundation reinforced by steel pipe sheet piles are explained using three dimensional elasto-plastic finite element method. The main parameters are caisson-SPSP connection condition and pile length. From this result, it can be seen that the complete connection between caisson and SPSP, and pile installation to the bearing layer are not necessary.