Reliability of Foundation Pile Based on Settlement and a Parameter Sensitivity Analysis

Abstract

Based on the uncertainty analysis to calculation model of settlement, the formula of reliability index of foundation pile is derived. Based on this formula, the influence of coefficient of variation of the calculated settlement at pile head, coefficient of variation of the permissible limit of the settlement, coefficient of variation of the measured settlement, safety coefficient, and the mean value of calculation model coefficient on reliability is analyzed. The results indicate that (1) high reliability index can be obtained by increasing safety coefficient; (2) reliability index will be reduced with increasing of the mean value of calculation model coefficient and coefficient of variation of the permissible limit of settlement; (3) reliability index will not always monotonically increase or decrease with increasing of coefficient of variation of the calculated settlement and coefficient of variation of calculation model coefficient. To get a high reliability index, coefficient of variation of calculation model coefficient or value range of coefficient of variation of calculation model coefficient should be determined through the derived formula when values of other independent variables are determined.