2014 Volume 70 Issue 2 Pages 226-237
The overlaying mesh method (OMM) is an analytical approach that overlaps two or more independent different-sized-mesh models in the finite element analysis. In the OMM, detailed mesh model is used in the target area under consideration, with coarse mesh model elsewhere, in order to optimize calculation effort. In this study, we first proposed the OMM theory which treats different type elements, i.e., beam elements modeling piles and 2D isoparametric elements modeling surrounding soil. Then, we performed parametric study to investigate the accuracy of the analysis results by changing the mesh sizes, ground properties and pile characteristics in pile-ground interaction system.
