Investigation of the applicability of dynamic loads acting on pile foundations as static loads in saturated clay

In this study, the applicability of the dynamic loads acting on floating pile groups in saturated clay as static loads is studied. The group pile deformations under dynamic effects are modelled by the Plaxis 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 saturated clay soils.For example in saturated clay cu=100 kPa Total vertical loads applied to the pile foundations can be increased 120% to consider the earthquakes up to magnitude of 6.0. And then cu=800 kPa saturated clay soils. Total vertical static loads applied to the pile foundations can be increased 280% to consider earthquake loads between 6.0 and 8.0.