Finite Element Analysis for Investigating the Behavior of Gravel Compaction Pile Composite Ground

Gravel Compaction Pile (GCP) method is currently being designed and constructed by empirical method because quantitative design method has not been developed, leading to various types of and frequent destruction such as expansion failure and shear failure and difficulties in establishing clear cause and developing measure to prevent destruction. In addition, despite the difference with domestic construction equipment and material characteristics, the methods applied to the overseas ground is applied to the domestic as it is, leading to remarkable difference between applied values and measured values in variables such as bearing capacity and the settlement amount. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to propose a reasonable and safe design method of GCP method by analyzing the settlement and stress behavior characteristics according to ground strength change under GCP method applied to domestic clay ground. For the purpose, settlement amount of composite ground, stress concentration ratio, and maximum horizontal displacement and expected location of GCP were analyzed using ABAQUS. The results of analysis showed that the settlement and Settlement reduction rate of composite ground decreased by more than 60% under replacement ratio of 30% or more, that the maximum horizontal displacement of GCP occurred at the depth 2.6 times pile diameter, and that the difference in horizontal displacement is slight under replacement ratio of 30%.