Detailed Record



Effect of Geological Uncertainty on the Shaft Resistance Prediction and Reliability of Piles Driven in Multi-Layered Geomaterials


Abstract This study proposes a method to quantify the effect of geological uncertainty on the predicted shaft resistance and the reliability of piles driven into multi-layered geomaterials. Several geological predicted surfaces with different levels of geological uncertainties are simulated through multiple sets of boreholes using the multinomial categorical prediction approach for the spatial Markov chain. As the number of strategically placed boreholes increases, the geological uncertainties decrease. Respective ground predicted surfaces are also simulated from these geological predicted surfaces using universal kriging and conditional simulation. The shaft resistances of the piles driven at the site are estimated for the multiple geomaterials layers using geotechnical prediction equations specified for the geomaterial type. The design reliability for the shaft resistance obtained from the various geological, ground, and geotechnical predictions is thereafter accessed through its probability of failure evaluated using the Monte Carlo simulation. This methodology is applied to the Lemhi River bridge project site in Idaho. The results illustrate the influence of geological uncertainty on the design of piles driven into multi-layered geomaterials and further help in determining an optimal site investigation plan that will improve pile design.
Authors Opeyemi E. Oluwatuyi University of WyomingORCID , Kam Ng University of WyomingORCID , Shaun S. Wulff University of WyomingORCID , Nafis Bin Masud University of WyomingORCID
Journal Info SAGE Publishing | Transportation Research Record , vol: 2677 , iss: 6 , pages: 687 - 696
Publication Date 1/27/2023
ISSN 0361-1981
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221149733
KeywordsKeyword Image Uncertainty Analysis (Score: 0.570871) , Geological Modeling (Score: 0.551145) , Slope Stability Analysis (Score: 0.536063) , Spatial Variability (Score: 0.503054)