Construction Disturbance and Wheel Gravity Effects on the Horizontal Vibration of a Pile–Wheel Composite Foundation

Previous studies on the horizontal dynamic response of pile–wheel composite foundations in poroelastic seabeds have predominantly ignored construction disturbance effects and wheel gravity considerations. To address these limitations, this paper introduces a semianalytical solution for this innovative offshore foundation within radially and vertically inhomogeneous porous soil. The radial nonuniformity of surrounding soil along the pile shaft is replicated by a heterogeneous construction-induced zone with a large number of concentric annular subzones and a homogeneous undisturbed zone. Similarly, the soil column within a certain depth range below the wheel shows vertical heterogeneity and is divided into uniformly spaced multiple thin layers. The governing matrix equations for characterizing pile segment mechanics are obtained using the Timoshenko beam theory combined with the displacement and stress transfer methods, enabling precise determination of horizontal deformations and internal forces along the pile shaft. The accuracy and validity of the presented solutions are confirmed through comparisons with results from existing publications. A parametric study is conducted to examine factors influencing the horizontal dynamic behavior of the foundation: shear modulus gradient, wheel-affected zone thickness, and heterogeneity parameter. The findings suggest that construction disturbance and wheel self-gravity effects on the horizontal vibration of pile–wheel composite foundations should not be ignored.