Subsurface Weakness Amplification and Progressive Capacity Loss in Piled Port Structures under Repeated Operational Loading

Agus Budiono

doi:10.55927/fjas.v5i10.135

Authors

Agus Budiono UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/fjas.v5i10.135

Keywords:

Piled Foundation, Cyclic Loading, Soil–Pile Interaction, Capacity Degradation, Subsurface Weakness Amplification

Abstract

Piled port structures experience repeated operational loading that may degrade soil–pile interaction and reduce foundation capacity over time. This study investigates subsurface weakness amplification and progressive capacity loss using three-dimensional finite element modelling of coastal soil profiles and pile systems under cyclic loading. Parametric analyses evaluated soil stiffness and loading variations to quantify degradation mechanisms. Results showed weak soil conditions caused 27.4% capacity reduction compared with 8.6% in stronger profiles, with strong correlation between soil degradation and capacity loss (R² = 0.87). The proposed Subsurface Weakness Amplification Index indicated a 3.2-fold increase in degradation sensitivity under weak subsurface conditions. This framework contributes to long-term reliability assessment of piled port structures subjected to repeated operational loading.

References

Chen, Y., Zhang, W., & Li, X. (2021). Numerical investigation of cyclic response of pile foundations considering soil–pile interaction effects. Computers and Geotechnics, 137, 104287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104287.

Das, B. M., & Sobhan, K. (2023). Principles of geotechnical engineering (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

He, L., Wang, J., & Guo, P. (2021). Cyclic behavior and degradation mechanism of pile foundations in soft clay under repeated loading. Marine Georesources & Geotechnology, 39(9), 1081–1094. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2020.1865464.

Jiang, M., Dai, G., & Zhou, W. (2022). Cyclic degradation behavior and deformation characteristics of soils under repeated loading conditions. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 157, 107234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2022.107234.

Kourkoulis, R., Gelagoti, F., Anastasopoulos, I., & Gazetas, G. (2021). Synchronous response of soil–pile systems subjected to cyclic and dynamic loading. Geotechnical Engineering Journal, 52(4), 785–802.

Kuhn, M., & Daouadji, A. (2022). Cyclic degradation behaviour of soil and its influence on geotechnical structures under repeated loading. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 152, 107042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2021.107042.

Li, Y., Zhang, C., & Zhou, J. (2021). Experimental investigation on stiffness degradation of soft soil subjected to cyclic loading. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 145, 106744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2021.106744.

Liu, X., Wang, H., & Chen, R. (2023). Influence of soil heterogeneity on deformation characteristics of pile foundations under cyclic loading. Engineering Geology, 316, 107018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107018.

Liu, Y., Chen, J., & Zhou, H. (2022). Long-term cyclic response and deformation accumulation of pile foundations in soft soils. Ocean Engineering, 259, 111885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.111885.

Liyanapathirana, D. S., & Poulos, H. G. (2021). Cyclic loading effects on pile foundations and soil–pile interaction behaviour. Geotechnical Engineering Journal, 52(3), 517–531.

Mendoza, C., Silva, F., & Herrera, R. (2023). Mechanical degradation characteristics of marine soft soils subjected to cyclic loading conditions. Marine Georesources & Geotechnology, 41(8), 1012–1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2022.2158794.

Miao, L., Wang, Y., & Xu, Z. (2022). Finite element modelling of nonlinear soil–structure interaction for pile foundations under complex loading conditions. Computers and Geotechnics, 148, 104816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.104816.

Pakzad, A., Arduino, P., Zhang, W., & Taciroglu, E. (2025). Workflow for high-fidelity dynamic analysis of structures with pile foundations. Engineering Structures.

Phoon, K. K., & Tang, C. (2022). Reliability-based geotechnical design and assessment considering uncertainty and soil variability. Georisk: Assessment and Management of Risk for Engineered Systems and Geohazards, 16(4), 521–538. https://doi.org/10.1080/17499518.2021.1987854.

Potts, D. M., & Zdravković, L. (2001). Finite element analysis in geotechnical engineering: Theory. Thomas Telford Publishing.

Tran, Q. A., Nguyen, T. T., & Le, M. H. (2024). Influence of soil stiffness degradation on cyclic performance of pile foundations using numerical analysis. Computers and Geotechnics, 166, 105982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2024.105982.

Wang, J., Zhang, C., & Li, Y. (2023). Three-dimensional finite element analysis of pile foundation behavior considering nonlinear soil–structure interaction under cyclic loading. Computers and Geotechnics, 156, 105244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2023.105244.

Wang, Q., Liu, J., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Long-term cyclic response of pile foundations considering soil–pile interface degradation. Ocean Engineering, 250, 110913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.110913.

Zhang, H., Li, P., & Chen, W. (2024). Three-dimensional numerical analysis of pile foundation performance under cyclic operational loading considering soil variability. Structures, 59, 105123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2024.105123.

Zhang, L., & Wang, S. (2023). Effects of heterogeneous soil layers on deformation localization and load transfer behaviour of pile foundations. Engineering Geology, 323, 107242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2023.107242.

Zhang, Y., Chen, R., & Li, P. (2022). Long-term performance degradation of pile foundations subjected to cyclic loading in soft soil deposits. Ocean Engineering, 266, 112857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.112857.

Zhou, W., Zhang, Y., & Liu, H. (2020). Mechanical degradation behavior of marine soft soils under cyclic loading. Applied Ocean Research, 101, 102274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apor.2020.102274.

Zienkiewicz, O. C., Taylor, R. L., & Zhu, J. Z. (2013). The finite element method: Its basis and fundamentals (7th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann.