Influence of deep foundations in a deck slab high-speed railway bridge: A theoretical study

Abstract

In this research, the importance of properly modeling the infrastructure of high-speed railway bridges with deep foundations when using the finite element method (FEM) is discussed. To do so, an isolated deck and several complete models with different character-istics were compared. Parameters such as the length of the piles, the stiffness of the supporting layers and the type of dynamic load (10 different trains) were explored. This study started with the analysis of various parameters that determine the behavior of deep foundations with piles in simplified models. Based on these findings, a complete model was built. This research shows the importance of including not only the surrounding terrain but also the main substructure (i.e., piers and abutments) in the model. Recommendations on the amount of soil to include, its mechanical properties and the length of the piles needed are also provided to ensure the reliability of results when considering the soil-structure dynamic interaction. With this research, a contribution to current knowledge is intended through a series of guidelines and tools to help structural engineers in dynamic simulations through a theoretical case study.