LOADING OF FOUNDATION PILES DURING THE 1992 ROERMOND EARTHQUAKE, THE NETHERLANDS

In order to assess the influence of the 1992 Roermond earthquake on a piled foundation, a pile and the interacting mass of the supported str ucture were modelled. The model represents a typical pile in the Maasn iel area of Roermond, the Netherlands. Results indicate that piles are subjected to significant loading. Popular belief that wind-loading co nditions in the Netherlands impose higher loads on the foundation pile s than an earthquake like the one in Roermond is not correct. Especial ly bored (in-situ fabricated) pile types may be loaded beyond their el astic range. Recommendations for verification and improvement of the m odel are given.