Analytical and Numerical Investigation Study of Pile Capacity in Desert Sand in Kuwait

This study investigates the behaviour of a single pile against compressive and uplift forces. The study was conducted at three sites located at the southwest part of a free desert area in Kuwait. Analytical methods were applied to calculate the ultimate pile capacity under compressive and tensile forces. A two-dimensional numerical model was created and validated based on the findings of a literature review. The results from the numerical modelling were then compared with the results obtained from analytical methods. The criteria considered in the numerical modelling study were: maximum stresses, maximum displacements and maximum plastic strains resulting in the soil. The study found a good correlation between the analytical and numerical results and a variance ranging from 5.1% to 19.5%. It was also revealed that the diameter of the pile has a significant influence on the total ultimate capacity of the pile and that the base bearing capacity represents 60% of the total bearing capacity. The total uplift forces are created by the weight of the pile and the skin friction of the pile against surrounding soil. It was also ascertained that, an increase in the diameter of the pile has significant effects on the induced stresses and plastic strains.