Investigation of the applicability of dynamic loads acting on pile foundations as static loads in the saturated clay and loose sand soils

In this study, the applicability of the dynamic loads acting on floating pile groups in the saturated clay and loose sand soils as static loads is studied. The group pile deformations under dynamic effects are modelled by both Plaxis and Sap 2000 software dynamic module and the equivalent static loads that cause the same deformations on pile group are determined by back-calculations. As a result, in the case of not using programs that consider the dynamic effects, dynamic forces can be considered as static loads to design of the pile foundations in this saturated soils. Accordingly this study, in saturated clay total vertical loads applied to the pile foundations can be increased 135% to consider the earthquakes up to magnitude of 6.0. Total vertical static loads applied to the pile foundations can be increased 155% to consider earthquake loads between 6.0 and 7.0. In the loose sand, because of losing the stability by earthquake, the deformation become larger. In this types of soils total vertical loads applied to the pile foundations can be increased 245% to consider the earthquakes on the magnitude of 6.0