A VARIATIONAL APPROACH FOR VERTICAL DEFORMATION ANALYSIS OF PILE GROUP

A variational approach for the analysis of vertical deformation of pil e groups is presented. The method assumes that the deformation of pile s can be represented by a finite series. The method applies the princi ple of minimum potential energy to determine the deformation of piles. Using this method, an analytical solution for pile groups in soil mod elled by the theoretical load-transfer curves can be obtained rigorous ly. Analysis of held tests indicates that the method can predict the p erformance of pile groups reasonably well.