The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines

This study investigates the effect of pile diameter on the seismic performance of single piles using the kinematic interaction framework outlined in Method III of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code TBEC-2018. Pile diameters of 65 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm were analyzed under four different soil profil...

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Main Authors: Mehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız, Mehmet Salih Keskin, Senem Yılmaz Çetin, Sabahattin Kaplan, Gültekin Aktaş
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2540
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author Mehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız
Mehmet Salih Keskin
Senem Yılmaz Çetin
Sabahattin Kaplan
Gültekin Aktaş
author_facet Mehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız
Mehmet Salih Keskin
Senem Yılmaz Çetin
Sabahattin Kaplan
Gültekin Aktaş
author_sort Mehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the effect of pile diameter on the seismic performance of single piles using the kinematic interaction framework outlined in Method III of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code TBEC-2018. Pile diameters of 65 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm were analyzed under four different soil profiles—soft clay, stiff clay, very loose sand-A, and very loose sand-B. The methodology integrated nonlinear spring modeling (P-y, T-z, Q-z) for soil behavior, one-dimensional site response analysis using DEEPSOIL, and structural analysis with SAP2000. The simulation results showed that increasing the pile diameter led to a significant rise in internal forces: the maximum bending moment increased up to 4.0 times, and the maximum shear force increased 4.5 times from the smallest to the largest pile diameter. Horizontal displacements remained nearly constant, whereas vertical displacements decreased by almost 50%, indicating improved pile–soil stiffness interaction. The depth of the maximum moment shifted according to the soil stiffness, and stress concentrations were observed at the interfaces of stratified layers. The findings underline the importance of considering pile geometry and soil layering in seismic design. This study provides quantitative insights into the trade-off between displacement control and force demand in seismic pile design, contributing to safer foundation strategies in earthquake-prone regions.
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issn 2075-5309
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spelling doaj-art-7d7c0414df6642bab9fdf00d7c8336ed2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011514254010.3390/buildings15142540The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 GuidelinesMehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız0Mehmet Salih Keskin1Senem Yılmaz Çetin2Sabahattin Kaplan3Gültekin Aktaş4Department of Civil Engineering, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, TurkeyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, TurkeyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, TurkeyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, TurkeyDepartment of Civil Engineering, Dicle University, 21280 Diyarbakir, TurkeyThis study investigates the effect of pile diameter on the seismic performance of single piles using the kinematic interaction framework outlined in Method III of the Turkish Building Earthquake Code TBEC-2018. Pile diameters of 65 cm, 80 cm, and 100 cm were analyzed under four different soil profiles—soft clay, stiff clay, very loose sand-A, and very loose sand-B. The methodology integrated nonlinear spring modeling (P-y, T-z, Q-z) for soil behavior, one-dimensional site response analysis using DEEPSOIL, and structural analysis with SAP2000. The simulation results showed that increasing the pile diameter led to a significant rise in internal forces: the maximum bending moment increased up to 4.0 times, and the maximum shear force increased 4.5 times from the smallest to the largest pile diameter. Horizontal displacements remained nearly constant, whereas vertical displacements decreased by almost 50%, indicating improved pile–soil stiffness interaction. The depth of the maximum moment shifted according to the soil stiffness, and stress concentrations were observed at the interfaces of stratified layers. The findings underline the importance of considering pile geometry and soil layering in seismic design. This study provides quantitative insights into the trade-off between displacement control and force demand in seismic pile design, contributing to safer foundation strategies in earthquake-prone regions.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2540kinematic interaction analysissoil springssoil behavior analysispile diameterpile internal forces
spellingShingle Mehmet Hayrullah Akyıldız
Mehmet Salih Keskin
Senem Yılmaz Çetin
Sabahattin Kaplan
Gültekin Aktaş
The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
Buildings
kinematic interaction analysis
soil springs
soil behavior analysis
pile diameter
pile internal forces
title The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
title_full The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
title_fullStr The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
title_short The Impact of Pile Diameter on the Performance of Single Piles: A Kinematic Analysis Based on the TBEC 2018 Guidelines
title_sort impact of pile diameter on the performance of single piles a kinematic analysis based on the tbec 2018 guidelines
topic kinematic interaction analysis
soil springs
soil behavior analysis
pile diameter
pile internal forces
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2540
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