Abstract: The effect of thickness and the deformation modulus on both the positive and the negative skin frictions and the neutral position of the single column in a composite ground under the ground surcharge have been analyzed by ABAQUS finite element software. The results indicate that, when the loads and the cushion modulus are constant, the increase of the cushion thickness will help the development of the positive skin friction and the neutral point will be at a higher position; when the thickness of the cushion is less than 0.5 meters, the increase of the cushion modulus will increase the positive skin friction and the neutral point location will also be higher; but the raise of the neutral point is not as obvious as when the cushion thickness is great than 0.5 meters. The numerical analysis on the impact of cushion thickness and the modulus on the single column in a composite ground will help the understanding of the load transfer mechanism.

Key words: ABAQUS, Cushions, Skin Frictions, Neutral Point, Numerical Simulations