Investigation of Natural Frequencies of Piles Partially Embedded in Elastic Soil Using Transfer Matrix Method

Abstract

This study aims to calculate exact natural frequencies of piles partially embedded in elastic soil by using transfer matrix method (TMM). The elastic soil is considered as Winkler foundation model using linear springs. The piles are modelled as Timoshenko beam-columns. The transfer matrices of piles are constructed after obtaining end forces and end displacements of piles using governing equation of motion of Timoshenko beam-columns. Different soil conditions are used to show their effects on natural frequencies of piles partially embedded in Winkler foundation. Moreover, the results are tabulated comparatively with finite element solutions that obtained from structural analysis software SAP2000.