Buckling analysis of piles in weak single-layered soil with consideration of geometric nonlinearities

This paper presents a numerical model for buckling analysis of slender piles, such as micropiles. The model incorporates geometric nonlinearities to provide enhanced accuracy and a more comprehensive representation of pile buckling behavior. Specifically, the pile is represented using geometrically nonlinear beams with the von Karman deformation measure. The lateral support provided by the surrounding soil is modeled using the spring approach, with the spring stiffness determined according to the undrained shear strength of the soil. The numerical model is tested across a wide range of pile slenderness ratios and undrained shear strengths of the surrounding soil. The numerical results are validated against analytical solutions. Furthermore, the influence of various pile bottom end boundary conditions on the critical buckling force is investigated. The implications of the obtained results are thoroughly discussed.