Abstract
An approximate and economical method is presented that can analyze dynamic interaction of piles. The method is based on a beam-on-Winkler foundation model of a pile group. Discrete soil-pile interaction elements (springs and dashpots) for the method are determined by superimposing responses of two dynamically interacting piles in a homogeneous and linearly elastic soil.The proposed method is evaluated through a case study of seismic response of an actual pile-supported building. Computed results are compared favorably with field observational data. This indicates that the stiffness and damping characteristics of a pile group can be represented reasonably by the method. Thus the method provides an economical means to evaluate dynamic response characteristics of complex pile groups in layered soils.
