Investigating Influencing Factors on the Ductility Capacity of a Fixed-Head Reinforced Concrete Pile in Homogeneous Clay

This study performs parametric analyses on the displacement ductility capacity of a fixed-head reinforced concrete pile in homogeneous clay, considering the spread of plasticity in the pile. The parametric study regards the pile as a limited ductility structure, which conditionally allows the pile to have inelastic response during large loading. The variables considered include the pile section parameters and p-y model parameters. A large number of pushover analyses are conducted to examine the displacement ductility capacity of the pile. The results show that the plastic hinging will occur at the pile head region for a fixed-head pile, and the displacement ductility capacity of the pile is mainly influenced by the over-strength ratio of the pile section. Furthermore, the second plastic region may occur in ground when the axial force is in high tension. Based on the design concept of limited ductility structures, the high tensile force in pile should be avoided in pile design. A quantitative relationship between the displacement ductility capacity and over-strength ratio is suggested for engineering applications.