Influence factors and simplified calculation of sediment load on pile foundations in high-pile wharves under sedimentation conditions

Sedimentation in high-siltation waters has become a common issue for high-pile wharves, leading to displacements or damage to pile foundations. Current engineering design practices typically rely on numerical finite element analysis to account for sediment load effects. However, the accuracy of these calculations depends heavily on soil parameters and the selection of constitutive models, making them less practical for general engineering applications. Through a survey of sedimentation and damage conditions in high-pile wharves, this study analyzes the interaction between piles and soil, identifying key influencing factors. The results show that the sediment load on pile foundations is primarily affected by the soil parameters of the sediment, sediment height, slope gradient of the sedimentary bank, and the inclination angle of the piles. A simplified method for calculating the sediment load on pile foundations is proposed and applied to the analysis of a typical wharf case. The calculation results closely align with actual inspection data, revealing the causes of pile foundation damage. Compared to finite element analysis, the simplified method uses conventional engineering parameters, offering easier computation while effectively reflecting the influence of key factors on sediment load. This method can serve as a reference for designing pile foundations in high-pile wharves under sedimentation conditions.