Two-dimensional finite element analysis of influence of plasticity on the seismic soil–micropiles–structure interaction

This paper includes a finite element analysis of the influence of soil plasticity on the seismic response of micropiles. Analysis is carried out using a global two-dimensional modeling in the Plaxis code. The soil behavior is described using the Mohr–Coulomb and liner elastic criterion. Both the micropiles and the superstructure are modeled as two-dimensional beam elements. Proper boundary conditions are used to ensure waves transmission through the lateral boundaries of the soil mass. Analyses are first conducted for harmonic loadings and then for real earthquake records. They show that plasticity could have a significant influence on the seismic response of the soil–micropiles–structure systems. This influence depends on the amplitude of the seismic loading and the dominant frequencies of both the input motion and the soil–micropiles–structure system.