Numerical simulation study on pile expansion by shock waves of electrical wire explosion in liquids

Abstract

Compaction of the soil around the borehole filled with cement paste can build shaped pile foundations, effectively increase enhancing the bearing capacity of the pile foundations. Shock waves of electrical wire explosion in liquids can compact the soil and build expanded pile foundations, which has broad industrial application prospects. Electrical wire explosion in liquids has the advantages of high efficiency, good repeatability and controllability. In order to analyze the mechanism of pile expansion by electrical wire explosion in liquids, in this paper, a comprehensive test platform for pile expansion by electrical wire explosion was established, the voltage and current of the discharge channel were measured. The expanded piles were built through multiple discharges, and the size and bearing capacity of the piles were measured. Based on the finite element numerical method, a three-dimensional model of soil compaction by shock waves was established, and the material parameters, model dimensions were reasonably determined. The propagation and attenuation processes of shock waves in cement paste and soil were simulated, and the soil compaction process was obtained. The cumulative effect of pile expansion under multiple shock wave actions was analyzed and compared with test results.