Numerical simulations of displacement pile installed in sand based on particle finite element method (PFEM)

The particle finite element method (PFEM) is a powerful and robust numerical tool for the simulation of large deformation problems. In this study, PFEM and post-processing functions built-into the commercial FEM software Abaqus are combined with a modified Mohr-Coulomb model to analyse the dramatic variations in the states of stress and strain associated with displacement pile installation, employing parameters calibrated to triaxial test data on Fontainebleau test sand. The implemented PFEM and modified Mohr-Coulomb model approach is applied to simulate well-documented instrumented calibration chamber experiments involving closed-ended piles. Comparisons between the simulations and experimental results indicate that the approach offers a promising and efficient tool for dealing with pile penetration problems.