The influence of pile stiffness on the foundation stresses of a multi-storey shear wall

Abstract

This paper illustrates the use of the computer program SWALLO based on the finite element method to predict the stress distributions in multi-storey shear walls. The program which automatically divides the wall into triangular elements allows for the effect of a piled foundation by representing each pile as a horizontal and vertical spring. The results of an investigation of the variation in the stresses in the lower regions of a wall resting on three piles due to changes in the stiffnesses of the inner pile are presented and illustrated by means of stress contours and cross-sectional diagrams of stress. A comparison is made of the magnitudes and positions of the resulting tensile forces in the foundation beam together with the variation of the action of the wall on the piles. © 1970.