3D DEM simulation of a centrifuge model pile test

This paper aims to propose a three-dimensional DEM procedure to simulate the centrifuge model pile tests and then to examine the involved penetration mechanisms. The simulation results show great resemblance to the measurements of selected centrifuge model pile test and can give accurate estimations of the resistance. The distribution of the incremental deviatoric strain indicates that the strain localization leads to the formation of shear band in the shoulder of the nose cone that is beneath the pile base. The contour map of shear stress also indicates that the shear stress concentrates in a narrow zone inside the regime of shoulder and implies the associated principal stress rotation during pile installation. In addition, the associated particle movement and contact force distribution provide micromechanical evidence to the development of shear band as well as the rotation of principal stress inside the same regime during monotonic installation of the pile.