Numerical evaluation of load transfer between adjacent piles under varying load conditions
Abdulameer Al‑Mubarak1, Rafi M. Qasim2 and Ayad Al-Yousuf3
Department of Environment and Pollution Engineering,Basra Engineering College, Southern Technical University, Basra,Iraq1
Department of Fuel and Energy Engineering,Basra Engineering College, Southern Technical University, Basra,Iraq2
Department of Civil Techniques,Technical Institute of Basra, Southern Technical University, Basra,Iraq3
Department of Fuel and Energy Engineering,Basra Engineering College, Southern Technical University, Basra,Iraq2
Department of Civil Techniques,Technical Institute of Basra, Southern Technical University, Basra,Iraq3
Corresponding Author : Abdulameer Al‑Mubarak
Recieved : 10-September-2024; Revised : 24-April-2025; Accepted : 26-April-2025
Abstract
Most facilities and tall buildings require deep foundations to transfer structural loads to stronger underlying soil layers. In many cases, only part of a facility may be loaded while adjacent areas remain unloaded. Therefore, accurately evaluating the load transfer between neighboring piles is crucial for ensuring structural integrity. This study employs a numerical approach using ABAQUS 2020 software to analyze the magnitude of load transfer between two adjacent piles, focusing on their interaction with the surrounding soil. The piles modeled are steel pipes filled with concrete and embedded in clay soil, subjected to various loading scenarios. The effect of pile spacing on load transfer behavior was investigated by considering three different distances between piles: 2.5D, 4D, and 6D. Four loading scenarios were analyzed: Horizontal load applied to pile 1, with pile 2 unloaded; Torsional load applied to pile 1, with pile 2 unloaded; Horizontal load on pile 1 and vertical load on pile 2; Torsional load on pile 1 and vertical load on pile 2. The results highlight that the interaction between neighboring piles significantly influences geotechnical performance. A smaller pile spacing leads to higher load transfer. The transferred load notably affects shear forces and bending moments in the adjacent pile, regardless of whether it is loaded. The shear force transfer ratio was found to range from 11% to 28%, while the bending moment ranged from 19% to 31%. Based on the results, a spacing of 2.5D is recommended as optimal for effective load transfer, aligning with the guidelines of ACI-2019 and IS-2011 codes.
Keywords
Load transfer, Adjacent piles, Pile spacing, Numerical simulation, ABAQUS, Geotechnical engineering.
Cite this article
Al‑Mubarak A, Qasim RM, Al-Yousuf A. Numerical evaluation of load transfer between adjacent piles under varying load conditions. International Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering Exploration. 2025;12(125):570-584. DOI : 10.19101/IJATEE.2024.111101644
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