Finite element analysis of reinforced concrete pile cap using ATENA

Abstract

Reinforced concrete (RC) Pile cap, a thick reinforced concrete block, is constructed to provide a connection between a structure and multiple single piles. In the existing design methods, the behavior of RC pile cap is usually considered as a rigid body and resulting forces or reactions on piles are assumed equal. However, in actual conditions, there is a possibility of bending of pile cap and un-equal reactions or forces on piles. This study represents a detailed finite element analysis of RC eight-pile cap by using a computer program ATENA. ATENA serve as rational tools to explain the behavior of RC structures. Research parameters included different types of loading conditions, analysis types such as linear and non-linear, support conditions, length of pile, strength of concrete and thickness of pile cap. The finite element analysis results indicate that the behavior of RC pile cap is not a rigid body and resulting forces or reactions are unequal. Also, it was observed that, support conditions, analysis type and thickness of RC pile cap had a significant effect on the global behavior of RC pile caps.