Dynamics Analysis of High-Rise Buildings on the Pile Foundation

Abstract

This study investigates the critical role of soil types, foundations, and building frames in resisting external loads, with a particular focus on storey displacement as an indicator of structural safety under various loading conditions. In earthquake-prone regions, foundation failures are a leading cause of structural displacement, often resulting in significant human and economic losses. The interaction between deep foundations and the surrounding soil, known as Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI), plays a pivotal role in a structure\'s performance. Factors such as foundation geometry, soil properties, and load conditions significantly influence the stability and design of buildings. This research highlights the importance of considering SSI effects to enhance the structural resilience and safety of buildings, especially in areas susceptible to seismic activity.

Introduction

This study investigates how different deep foundation systems—specifically single under-reamed friction piles with and without square footings—affect the displacement behavior of a four-story single-bay building subjected to dynamic loads. Using finite element analysis (FEA), the research examines how Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) influences foundation performance across various soil conditions. Since foundation failures during earthquakes can cause severe structural displacement, casualties, and economic losses, understanding SSI and foundation behavior is essential for safe and resilient design.

The findings show that structures supported by under-reamed piles with footings experience significantly reduced displacement compared to those without footings. SSI plays a major role in modifying foundation behavior under both static and dynamic loads, particularly when deep foundations are used in weak or highly compressible soils.

The study identifies several key problems: limited understanding of SSI under dynamic conditions, insufficient research on how under-reamed piles with and without footings compare, and the need for accurate modeling to reflect real-world seismic performance. To address these gaps, the research analyzes structural movement using FEA and compares pile configurations under varying soil types and loading scenarios.

A literature review highlights why the study is important: it addresses real-world challenges in seismic design, emphasizes SSI as a critical factor in foundation performance, and incorporates a comprehensive approach that considers soil type, foundation geometry, and loading. Reviewed methodologies include simplified SSI models, seismic design code comparisons, finite element modeling, limit state design, and dynamic analysis. Trends in the field show growing use of FEM, integrated design approaches, and dynamic SSI analysis, while challenges include modeling limitations, data sensitivity, seismic variability, and cost constraints.

The methodology emphasizes the implications of correct pile design in seismic regions, explaining that ground conditions, pile dimensions, and configuration strongly influence stability and settlement. The research also acknowledges limitations of past studies, particularly small-scale experiments and oversimplified models, reinforcing the need for more precise SSI simulations.

Finally, the implementation section describes how software tools (e.g., STAAD Pro) were used to analyze a G+20 structure in seismic zone IV, with various pile groups and pile caps modeled according to Indian standards. Cost comparisons were also conducted based on material quantities for different pile configurations.

Conclusion

The study on the seismic performance of buildings with aspect ratio and pile foundation configurations provided valuable insights into structural behavior. The results indicated that lateral forces in seismic zone are significantly lower compared to vertical forces, making vertical loads the primary governing factor in foundation design. Despite variations in aspect ratios, the maximum and minimum vertical forces remained nearly constant for a building height of 63.0 m. Among the three, four, and five-pile foundation groups, the four-pile arrangement was identified as the most economical option. The material consumption analysis showed that the quantity of steel and concrete required increased in proportion to the plan size of the building. The findings suggest that optimizing pile foundation design can lead to cost-effective and structurally efficient solutions. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting an appropriate pile group configuration to achieve an optimal balance between structural stability and material economy.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Bhushan S. Jakkanwar, Kunal B. Nikose . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.