Abstract:
In this study, a numerical method is adopted to investigate the responses of the retaining piles to unloading effect and rainfall based on a foundation pit in residual soil in Xiamen. Three-dimensional numerical model is developed in a finite difference method to simulate the construction process of the pit. The stiffness degradation is considered by embedding the small strain stiffness curve in the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model. The water-weakening effect of the residual soil is simulated by reducing strength of the residual soil. The effect of the rainfall and the excavation on pile deformation is analyzed through a comparison between the numerical results and the field measurement. Results show that this numerical simulation scheme proposed in this study is capable to capture the deformation response of the retaining piles to excavation and rainfall in residual soil. The structure-weakening of the residual soil caused by rainfall will increase 1.5~2 times lateral deformation of the retaining piles