2023 journal article
Framework for a reliability-based analysis of local scour and its effect on pile response in clay
Computers and Geotechnics.
author keywords: Scour; Bridge pier; Reliability index; LRFD; Laterally loaded pile; Clay; Axially loaded pile
doi.org (publisher)
Source: ORCID
Added: October 28, 2022
The analyses of axial and lateral capacity of a pile are significantly dependent on the appropriate estimation of scour depth, while the scour depth estimation procedure is uncertain due to the hydraulic, hydrologic, and geotechnical parameters uncertainty. Work herein is focused on developing a framework for reliability-based pier scour assessment methodology and demonstrate its integration with the concept of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) approach. Scour factors are proposed based on reliability level ( β ) and the associated probability of deceedance (POD). Three example applications of axially and laterally loaded pile design approach while including scour factor in the LRFD framework are demonstrated. Based on axial pile capacity analysis, the increase of pile length when the β -based scour assessment is used with the soil resistance factors, was estimated to be 26.5–29.6 % higher compared to using the deterministic scour with soil resistance factor. In the case of lateral pile response analysis, as β is increased from 2.0 to 3.0, the lateral pile head deflection increased by 46–132 % compared to the deterministically-estimated scour depth case. To obtain β = 3.0 for the considered example while maintaining the pile length unchanged, the pile diameter needed to be increased by 35.7 % compared to the base case pile’s diameter.