New Analytical Solution to Predict the Vertical Impedance of a Large-Diameter Pipe Pile in Soil Considering Wave Propagation in Visco-Elastic Continuum

According to the theories of wave propagation in visco-elastic continuum and Rayleigh-Love rod, a simplified model in axisymmetric conditions for the longitudinal vibration of large-diameter pipe pile (LDPP) in radially heterogeneous surrounding soil with viscous damping is presented. The relevant analytical solution for dynamic impedance at pile head is derived by using complex stiffness transfer method, which is also validated via independent comparisons with previous solutions. Besides, parametric analyses are carried out to reveal both the radial heterogeneity of surrounding soil and the lateral inertia effect of pile shaft on the dynamic impedance of LDPP. The obtained analytical solutions are suitable for the longitudinal vibration issues of floating LDPP in visco-elastic surrounding soil with radial heterogeneity, which can be conveniently degenerated to describe the longitudinal vibration of a floating solid pile in soil with radial heterogeneity as well as a floating LDPP or solid pile in radially homogenous soil.