Interaction of BEM analysis and experimental testing on Pile-Soil Systems

This work considers some important modelling problems for soil-pile systems via application of the Boundary Element Method (BEM). Among these are the correct definition of the number and shape of elements to be used in the discretisation of the pile surface and of the parameters which influence them, the number and shape of elements needed for the discretisation of the soil free surface and of the soil layer’s interfaces. The results are used to model a pile-soil system in relation to a full scale static and dynamic experimental test to be conducted on site. The results of the modelling and subsequent analyses have been used in the planning of the experimental testing procedure, while the results of the experimental tests will be used later to validate the mathematical model and the assumptions on which this is based. Several open problems, which deserve the attention of the scientific community, have been implicitly or explicitly outlined within the treatment of the problem.