Dynamic soil response of a liquefaction-extended site reinforced with rigid drainage pile groups

This study investigates the dynamic soil response of liquefaction-prone sites reinforced with rigid drainage piles (RDPs) through systematic shaking table tests. The experiments examine the anti-liquefaction performance of RDPs under various peak ground accelerations (i.e. 0.05 g , 0.1 g , and 0.2 g ), and comparisons are conducted with conventional ordinary piles. Results demonstrate that RDPs can significantly reduce excess pore water pressure (up to 40% lower peak ratios) and mitigate liquefaction-induced hazards by enhancing effective stress and soil stability. It is found that RDP groups can diminish the acceleration amplification factor by 30%, limit lateral bank wall displacements by 44.4%, and reduce ground settlement by 20% compared to ordinary piles. The drainage channels within RDP groups can efficiently dissipate the pore water pressure, prevent soil liquefaction and lateral spreading while maintaining the structural integrity. The obtained results can provide practical guidelines for deploying RDPs in seismically active regions, offering a robust solution for liquefaction-resistant foundation design. The study bridges critical knowledge gaps in RDP group behavior under realistic seismic conditions, advancing the development of resilient geotechnical infrastructure.