Equivalent pier analysis of full-scale pile groups subjected to mechanical and thermal loads

This study presents an equivalent pier analysis of the vertical deformation and displacement of full-scale pile groups subjected to mechanical and thermal loads that are associated with a structural support and a geothermal heat exchanger operation, respectively. Based on the simulation of the behavior of a single representative pile, the investigation addresses pile groups characterized by different end-restraint and site conditions through the equivalent pier method. Loading levels of varying significance, which can be associated to a reversible response of the piles in the group as well as to an irreversible response due to the occurrence of plastic strains in the ground, are considered. Provided that appropriate modeling assumptions are made, the considered formulation of the equivalent pier method can effectively capture the vertical deformation and displacement of pile groups subjected to mechanical and thermal loads. The previous result provides further evidence on the capability of the equivalent pier method to appropriately and effectively serve the analysis and design of pile groups subjected to loading.