What friction angle would characterize a pile–soil interface as “rough” or “smooth”?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2025

Abstract

This paper revisits an age-old conundrum, that of “roughness,” with a fresh perspective gained from a novel analytical solution of dynamic pile–soil interaction. By employing the radiation stress theory, three distinct regions at the pile–soil interface are identified, each characterized by unique contact conditions. The effects of the friction angle of the pile–soil interface on soil resistance under lateral dynamic loads are subsequently investigated. It is suggested that the possible range of soil resistance, from fully rough to fully smooth in front of the pile, is significantly underestimated in the absence of separation. Results from the present solution also indicate a critical threshold friction angle of approximately 30°–35°, which serves as the delimitation between “rough” and “smooth” interfaces across both quasi-static and dynamic regimes. The delimitation shifts upward at high frequencies, and the trend is more pronounced for surrounding soil with a large Poisson’s ratio. These findings underscore the coupling of separation and sliding phenomena at the pile–soil interface and provide valuable insights for understanding its roughness, facilitating more accurate assessments of their behaviors under lateral dynamic loads.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Acta Geotechnica

First Page

3163

Last Page

3175

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