The impact of sediment accumulation on the structural stress of high-pile wharf and sediment removal measures

This study employs the finite element method to analyze the impact of sediment accumulation along riverbanks on the structural stress of high-pile wharves and proposes mitigation measures, including localized dredging beneath the wharf combined with excavation behind the wharf to reduce the effects of sedimentation. A solid element model of a high-pile wharf bent structure was constructed to explore the coupled effects of sediment accumulation and operational loads on the internal forces and horizontal displacement of the wharf structure. By comparing the stress and deformation of pile foundations during the sedimentation process, the study reveals the damage mechanism of the pile foundation, where sediment accumulation increases the interaction area between the pile and soil, resulting in greater additional pressure from the sediment on the pile. This leads to an increase in the pile top moment constrained by the beam. Sediment accumulation has a significant impact on the wharf structure, as the internal forces and horizontal displacement of the pile foundation and the horizontal displacement of the beam increase markedly with the height of the sediment. The combined effect of sediment accumulation at the riverbank, excessive sedimentation behind the wharf, and ship impact forces exerts the greatest influence on the internal forces of inclined piles near the top and rear of the sediment slope, making the pile foundation more susceptible to damage. Localized dredging of the sediment slope shoulder beneath the wharf, combined with excavation behind the wharf, effectively reduces the pile top moment of critical piles and mitigates the impact of sediment accumulation on the wharf structure.