Finite-element analysis of multi-body contacts for pile driving using a hydraulic pile hammer

Abstract

This article treats the pile driving as multi-body dynamic contacts. By using the penalty function method and three-dimensional model of finite-element method, the dynamic process of pile driving is acquired and a method for choosing the cushion material of the hydraulic pile hammer to improve driving efficiency is proposed. The process of pile driving in the real situation of an industrial experiment is simulated. The results of stress on test point are consistent with the test point. By analysing the stress distributed along the direction of pile radius and pile axis, the rule of the stress distribution on the pile is concluded. The rule for cushion material choice is obtained by comparing the influence for the impact stress with different elastic modulus ratio of the hammer cushion to the pile and the pile cushion to the pile.