Numerical model to predict the displacement of piles under cyclic lateral loading using a new hypoplastic spring element

A numerical model to predict the displacement of piles under cyclic lateral loading using a new type of spring element is demonstrated. The formulation of the numerical model is based on the subgrade reaction method and allows for modelling of a limited number of cycles. To accurately represent the soil behaviour, the spring elements are established on a hypoplastic formulation. Thereby, important soil properties like barotropy, pycnotropy and directionality are captured. Input parameters are determined by laboratory tests and correlations from literature. Performance of the new approach is demonstrated and the results are compared to Finite-Element-Analyses and current standards.