Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces

Abstract Pile spacing significantly influences the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges, particularly under complex loading conditions. This study presents a novel methodology for optimizing the distribution of piles within a nine-pile cap and evaluates the effects of varying pile spa...

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Main Authors: Riyadh Alsultani, Ibtisam R. Karim, Saleh I. Khassaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Advances in Bridge Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43251-024-00147-z
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author Riyadh Alsultani
Ibtisam R. Karim
Saleh I. Khassaf
author_facet Riyadh Alsultani
Ibtisam R. Karim
Saleh I. Khassaf
author_sort Riyadh Alsultani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Pile spacing significantly influences the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges, particularly under complex loading conditions. This study presents a novel methodology for optimizing the distribution of piles within a nine-pile cap and evaluates the effects of varying pile spacings on the dynamic fluid-structure interaction. An experimental investigation was conducted to assess the dynamic response of three scaled bridge specimens with pile spacings of 2.5D, 2.0D, and 1.5D (where D is the pile diameter) under combined current-wave forces during seismic events. The acceleration and displacement responses were measured using the innovative Reality Water Structure Earthquake Interaction Test (RWSEIT) system. The results revealed that reduced pile spacing (1.5D) led to a significant increase in both acceleration and displacement responses, indicating higher vulnerability under dynamic loading. In contrast, wider spacing (2.5D) demonstrated improved stability, with reduced displacement and acceleration, thereby enhancing the overall structural resilience. The analysis also highlighted the critical role of water depth, current velocity, and wave properties in modulating the dynamic response. Complementary 3D numerical models were developed using the Finite Element DIANA Software, and the numerical results closely matched the experimental findings, thereby validating the model’s accuracy. These insights contribute to more sustainable infrastructure design, aligning with global efforts to enhance the resilience and longevity of coastal structures while minimizing environmental impact. These findings provide crucial insights into the fluid-structure interactions of coastal bridges, offering practical guidance for the design and assessment of deepwater pile foundations under seismic and hydrodynamic forces.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2662-5407
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher SpringerOpen
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series Advances in Bridge Engineering
spelling doaj-art-24312824ddb5401381223ee9ed79e6b22025-01-05T12:41:56ZengSpringerOpenAdvances in Bridge Engineering2662-54072025-01-016112510.1186/s43251-024-00147-zExperimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forcesRiyadh Alsultani0Ibtisam R. Karim1Saleh I. Khassaf2Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of BabylonDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of TechnologyDepartment of Civil Engineering, University of BasrahAbstract Pile spacing significantly influences the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges, particularly under complex loading conditions. This study presents a novel methodology for optimizing the distribution of piles within a nine-pile cap and evaluates the effects of varying pile spacings on the dynamic fluid-structure interaction. An experimental investigation was conducted to assess the dynamic response of three scaled bridge specimens with pile spacings of 2.5D, 2.0D, and 1.5D (where D is the pile diameter) under combined current-wave forces during seismic events. The acceleration and displacement responses were measured using the innovative Reality Water Structure Earthquake Interaction Test (RWSEIT) system. The results revealed that reduced pile spacing (1.5D) led to a significant increase in both acceleration and displacement responses, indicating higher vulnerability under dynamic loading. In contrast, wider spacing (2.5D) demonstrated improved stability, with reduced displacement and acceleration, thereby enhancing the overall structural resilience. The analysis also highlighted the critical role of water depth, current velocity, and wave properties in modulating the dynamic response. Complementary 3D numerical models were developed using the Finite Element DIANA Software, and the numerical results closely matched the experimental findings, thereby validating the model’s accuracy. These insights contribute to more sustainable infrastructure design, aligning with global efforts to enhance the resilience and longevity of coastal structures while minimizing environmental impact. These findings provide crucial insights into the fluid-structure interactions of coastal bridges, offering practical guidance for the design and assessment of deepwater pile foundations under seismic and hydrodynamic forces.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43251-024-00147-zPile spacingFluid-structure InteractionDynamic responseWater-Current-EarthquakeDIANA SoftwareSustainable infrastructure
spellingShingle Riyadh Alsultani
Ibtisam R. Karim
Saleh I. Khassaf
Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
Advances in Bridge Engineering
Pile spacing
Fluid-structure Interaction
Dynamic response
Water-Current-Earthquake
DIANA Software
Sustainable infrastructure
title Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
title_full Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
title_fullStr Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
title_full_unstemmed Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
title_short Experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current-wave-earthquake forces
title_sort experimental and numerical investigation into pile spacing effects on the dynamic response of coastal pile foundation bridges considering current wave earthquake forces
topic Pile spacing
Fluid-structure Interaction
Dynamic response
Water-Current-Earthquake
DIANA Software
Sustainable infrastructure
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43251-024-00147-z
work_keys_str_mv AT riyadhalsultani experimentalandnumericalinvestigationintopilespacingeffectsonthedynamicresponseofcoastalpilefoundationbridgesconsideringcurrentwaveearthquakeforces
AT ibtisamrkarim experimentalandnumericalinvestigationintopilespacingeffectsonthedynamicresponseofcoastalpilefoundationbridgesconsideringcurrentwaveearthquakeforces
AT salehikhassaf experimentalandnumericalinvestigationintopilespacingeffectsonthedynamicresponseofcoastalpilefoundationbridgesconsideringcurrentwaveearthquakeforces