Stochastic analysis of secant piles failure induced by random imperfections

This study establishes a random model for evaluating the secant failure induced by the variation of pile diameter and drilling inclination. Based on the borehole shrinkage theory, the shape of piles in a spatial heterogeneous stratum can be generated by establishing a non-stationary random field. The drilling direction is described by two-dimensional random variables. The influences of different factors, including design parameters, geological parameters and drilling operation levels on the cumulative density functions (CDFs) of the secant piles overlap are analyzed by conducting Monte Carlo simulations. A design flow chart is proposed which can help engineers to devise safe and economical secant piles.