Axial Pile Spreadsheet Model

Comparison of Different Formulations

to Eliminate Recursive Iterations

Albert Loh
9 Sep 2017
Introduction
The original axial pile settlement calculation based on the paper by Coyle & Reese 19661 starts by splitting the pile
into many short segments. The procedure starts with input of a pile tip displacement at the bottom segment. The
q-z properties of the soil are used to get the pile end bearing reaction which is input to the bottom end of the
bottom pile segment.

The calculation proceeds up the pile by adding the soil skin friction at each segment to get the resulting axial force
in the pile. The axial force compresses the pile segment and the settlement at the top of the segment is obtained,
allowing the soil skin friction to be calculated for the next segment. This is repeated for each segment from bottom
to top of the pile, ending with the load and settlement at the top of the pile.

The original method uses the average settlement at each segment to get the soil skin friction from the t-z curves at
each segment level. Because the settlement of the top of the segment has not yet been calculated, computing the
average settlement requires a revursive recalculation for each segment of the pile. This results in a slow calculation
time and sometimes results in non-convergence.

Eliminating the need for recursive recalculation would allow for a much faster and more stable procedure. This can
be achieved by assuming the axial force to be constant along each segment and the soil skin friction to act only
between segments. The axial settlement of each segment can then be directly computed in a once through
procedure without any iterative recalculation.

Several model formulations were investigated using the principle of a constant axial load in each individual
segment.
 Fp1

Fp1

Fs1

Original Model Fp0

Fp0

Axial PIle Capacity w Soil Settlement.xls

This is the original formulation following the method by Coyle & Reese1.

The axial pile force and soil friction varies along the segment.

This variation in segment forces requires iterative calculation and contains circular
references, leading to slow recalculation and sometimes unstable calculation.
 P
P
Fp3
Dp3 Fp3
Fp3
Dp3 Fp3 S
Fp2 Fs3
Ds3 Dp2 Fp2
Fp2 Fs3
Fp2 Dz3
Dp2
Fp1 Fs2
Ds2 Dp1 Fp1
Fp1 Fs2 Dz2
Dp1 Fp1
Fs1
Fp0
Ds1 Dp0 Fp0
Fs1 Fs0
Fp0 Dz1
Dp0 Fp0
Fs0 Dz0

Original Model Original Model

Start at pile tip
Input pile tip settlement Dp0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dp0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)
Pile Segment 1:-
Pile segment compression = C1 = (Fp0+Fp1)/2 * (L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1
Soil friction on segment = Fs1 = f[Ds1] = f[(Dp0+Dp1)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp0 + Fs1
Pile Segment 2:-
Pile segment compression = C2 = (Fp1+Fp2)/2 * (L2/E2/A2)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp2 = Dp1 + C2
Soil friction on segment = Fs2 = f[Ds2] = f[(Dp1+Dp2)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp2 = Fp1 + Fs2
Pile Segment 3:-
Pile segment compression C3 = (Fp2+Fp3)/2 * (L3/E3/A3)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp3 = Dp0 + C1
Soil friction on segment = Fs3 = f[(Dp2+Dp3)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp3 = Fp2 + Fs3
Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement = Dp3
with Soil Settlement
Compute Soil Se,lement for each layer of soil
Start at top
Input total soil se-lement @top
For Each Layer
Calc compressibiity of layer = Li/Ei = thickness of layer / soil modulus of layer
Compression of each layer Li = (Li/Ei)/(Li/Ei) = compressibility of layer / total of all layers
Se-lement at each level Dzi = total compression of layers below
Start at pile tip
Input pile tip vs soil settlement Dpz0 = (Dp0-Dz0)
Pile tip settlement Dp0 = Dz0 + Dpz0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dpz0] {interpolate q-z curve}
(cannot be -ve tension)
Pile Segment 1:-
Pile segment compression = C1 = (Fp0+Fp1)/2 * (L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1.
Pile vs soil settlement Dpz1 = (Dp1-Dz1)
Soil friction on segment = Fs1 = f[(Dpz0+Dpz1)/2] {assume elastic-plastic}
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp0 + Fs1
Pile Segment 2 & 3:- Similar to segment 1
Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement = Dp3
 Fp1

Fs1

Fp0 Fs1

Simplified Model
Fp0

Axial PIle Capacity w Soil Settlement1.xlsx

This model is a quick and dirty fix that avoids the circular reference in the previous model.

The pile segment force is assumed to be constant throughout the segment and equal to the
force at the bottom of the segment.

The segment soil friction is applied at the top of the segment

 P
P Fp3
Dp3
Fp3 Fp2
Dp3 S
Fs3
Fp2 Ds3 Dp2
Fs3 Fp1 Dz3
Dp2
Fs2
Fp1 Ds2 Dp1

Fs2 Fp0 Dz2

Dp1 Fs1
Fp0 Dp0 Fp0
Ds1
Fs1 Fs0 Dz1
Dp0 Fp0 Dz0
Fs0

Simplified Model Simplified Model

Start at pile tip
Input pile tip settlement Dp0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dp0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)
Pile Segment 1:-
Pile segment compression = C1 = (Fp0)*(L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1
Soil friction on segment = Fs1 = f[Ds1] = f[(Dp0+Dp1)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp0 + Fs1
Pile Segment 2:-
Pile segment compression = C2 = (Fp1)*(L2/E2/A2)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp2 = Dp1 + C2
Soil friction on segment = Fs2 = f[Ds2] = f[(Dp1+Dp2)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp2 = Fp1 + Fs2
Pile Segment 3:-
Pile segment compression C3 = (Fp2)*(L3/E3/A3)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp3 = Dp0 + C1
Soil friction on segment = Fs3 = f[(Dp2+Dp3)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp3 = Fp2 + Fs3
Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement = Dp3
with Soil Settlement
Compute Soil Se,lement for each layer of soil
Start at top
Input total soil se-lement @top
For Each Layer
Calc compressibiity of layer = Li/Ei = thickness of layer / soil modulus of layer
Compression of each layer Li = (Li/Ei)/(Li/Ei) = compressibility of layer / total of all layers
Se-lement at each level Dzi = total compression of layers below
Start at pile tip
Input pile tip vs soil settlement Dpz0 = (Dp0-Dz0)
Pile tip settlement Dp0 = Dz0 + Dpz0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dpz0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)
Pile Segment 1:-
Pile segment compression = C1 = (Fp0)*(L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1.
Pile vs soil settlement Dpz1 = (Dp1-Dz1)
Soil friction on segment = Fs1 = f[(Dpz0+Dpz1)/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp0 + Fs1
Pile Segment 2 & 3:- Similar to segment 1
Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement = Dp3
 Fp3

Fp3
Fs3

Fp2

Fs2

Staggered Segment Model

Fp1

Fs1
Fp0

This model is an extension of the simplified model, and is potentially more representative but
requires special beginning and end segments of half length.

Fp0
 P

Fp3
Dp
Pile Segment 3 Fp3

Dp3 Ds3 This model also considers the soil reaction acting at the
Fs3 intersection between pile segments. The axial load within
Pile Segment 2 Fp2
each pile segment is considered to be constant. The
bottom and top segments are half length to allow a more
Dp2 Ds2
accurate representation of the soil.
Fs2
Pile Segment 1 Fp1

Dp1 Ds1
Pile Segment 0 Fp0 Fs1

This model is not worth

Dp0 Fp0 Fs0

Staggered Segment Model

considering further.
Start at pile tip
Input pile tip settlement Dp0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dp0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)

Pile Segment 0 (half length):-

Axial Force in pile segment = Fp0 = Fs0
Pile segment compression = C0 = Fp0 * (L0/E0/A0)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C0

Pile Segment 1:-

Soil friction acting on bottom of segment = Fs1 = f[Ds1]
Axial Force in pile segment 1 = Fp1 = Fp0 + Fs1
Pile segment compression = C1 = Fp1 * (L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp2 = Dp1 + C1

Pile Segment 2:- Similar to segment 1

Pile Segment 3 (half length):-

Soil friction acting on bottom of segment = Fs3 = f[Ds3]
Axial Force in pile segment = Fp3 = Fp2 + Fs3
Pile segment compression C3 = (Fp3 * (L3/E3/A3)

Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement Dp = Dp3 + C3
 Fp1

Fs1t

Fp1c Fs1

Split Soil Model Fs1b

Fp0

Axial PIle Capacity w Soil Settlement2.xlsx

This model considers the soil reaction for each segment to be split into two portions; top and bottom.

This is a better representation of reality and yet still allows direct calculation without circular reference.
 P
P
Dp3
Fp3 S
Fp3 Fs3t
Dp3 Pile Segment 3 Fp3c Fs3
Fs3t
Pile Segment 3 Fp3c Dz3
Fs3
Fp2
Dp2
Fp2 Fs2t Fs3b
Dp2 Pile Segment 2 Fp2c
Fs2t Fs3b Fs2
Pile Segment 2 Fp2c Fs2 Dz2
Fp1
Dp1 Fs2b
Fp1 Fs1t
Dp1 Fs2b Pile Segment 1 Fp1c Fs1
Fs1t
Pile Segment 1 Fp1c Fs1 Dz1
Fp0
Dp0
Fs0 Fs1b
Fp0
Dp0
Fs0 Fs1b
Dz0

Split Soil Model Split Soil Model

Start at pile tip
Input pile tip settlement Dp0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dp0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)
Pile Segment 1:-
Soil friction on segment bottom = Fs1b = f[Dp0,L1/2]
Axial force on segment Fp1c = Fp0 + Fs1b
Pile segment compression = C1 = Fp1c * (L1/E1/A1)
Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1.
Soil friction on segment top = Fs1t = f[Dp1,L1/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp1c + Fs1t = Fp0 + Fs1
with Soil Settlement
Compute Soil Se,lement for each layer of soil
Start at top
Input total soil se-lement @top
For Each Layer
Calc compressibiity of layer = Li/Ei = thickness of layer / soil modulus of layer
Compression of each layer Li = (Li/Ei)/(Li/Ei) = compressibility of layer / total of all layers
Se-lement at each level Dzi = total compression of layers below
Start at pile tip
Input pile tip vs soil settlement Dpz0 = (Dp0-Dz0)
Pile tip settlement Dp0 = Dz0 + Dpz0
Soil force @ pile tip = Fs0 = f[Dpz0] {interpolate q-z curve}
Force on pile tip Fp0 = Fs0 (cannot be -ve tension)

Pile Segment 2 & 3:- Similar to segment 1 Pile Segment 1:-

Soil friction on segment bottom = Fs1b = f[Dpz0,L1/2]
Top of Pile Axial force on segment Fp1c = Fp0 + Fs1b
Pile top force P = Fp3 Pile segment compression = C1 = Fp1c * (L1/E1/A1)
Pile top settlement = Dp3 Pile settlement @top of segment = Dp1 = Dp0 + C1.
Pile vs soil settlement Dpz1 = (Dp1-Dz1)
Soil friction on segment top = Fs1t = f[Dpz1,L1/2]
Force on top of segment = Fp1 = Fp1c + Fs1t = Fp0 + Fs1

Pile Segment 2 & 3:- Similar to segment 1

Top of Pile
Pile top force P = Fp3
Pile top settlement = Dp3
 Fp1 Fp1 Fp1

Fs1 Fs1t
Fp1

Fs1 Fs1 Fp1c Fs1

Comparison
Fp0

Fp0 Fs1b

Fp0 Fp0 Fp0

Original Model Simplified Model Split Soil Model

Effect on Accuracy
P
Axial Force Pile Settlement

Distance from Top

Distance from Top
Fi Error% = (Fi*L/2) / [Faverage*L]
= (P-Ftip)*(L/n)/2) / [Faverage*L]
Fi
= [(P-Ftip}/Faverage] /2n

L
<1/2n,
where n = no. of segments

Axial Force Pile Settlement Ftip

Distance from Top
Distance from Top

Simplified Model
Larger error, error quite acceptable with >10 segments

Axial Force Pile Settlement

Distance from Top

Distance from Top

Original Model
Requires iterative calculations

Split Soil Model

Accurate, most representative model
Conclusion - Elimination of recursive calculations is indeed possible.

Fp1 Fp1 Fp1

Fs1 Fs1t
Fp1

Fs1 Fp0 Fs1 Fp1c Fs1

Fp0
Fs1b

Fp0 Fp0 Fp0

Original Model Simplified Model Split Soil Model

Requires iterative calculations Largest error, error still quite acceptable Accurate, most representative model

The ORIGINAL MODEL is much slower due to the
recursive process required. However, with modern
PCs, the computation speed has become quite
acceptable. - MAY NOT CONVERGE
The SIMPLIFIED MODEL theoretically is less
accurate since it applies the average segment soil
properties at the top of the segment, leading to
slightly less computed pile settlements. However,
the error is less than 1/2n where n is the number of
segments. - ACCEPTABLE
The SPLIT SOIL MODEL is a logically correct
representation of reality and only requires the soil
friction at each segment to be split into two. It is
easy to implement and is a once through
calculation that does not require repeated
iterations. - RECOMMENDED
References
1. Coyle, H.M., and Reese, L.C., M.F., (1966), Load Transfer for Axially Loaded Piles in Clay, Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Founda4ons Division, ASCE Vol. 92, 1966.