THE RESPONSE OF FLEXIBLE PILES TO LATERAL LOADING

The majority of piles encountered in practice may be regarded as "flexible" under lateral loading. That is, the induced deformations and bending moments are confined to the upper part of the pile and the overall length of the pile does not significantly affect the response of the pile. The results of a parametric study, conducted using the finite element method and treating the soil as an elastic continuum with a linearly varying soil modulus, are presented as simple algebraic expressions. These expressions are similar in form to those which arise from a winkler idealization of the soil, enabling immediate estimates to be made of the active length of the pile; the ground level deformations; and the maximum bending moment down the pile. In addition, expressions are presented quantifying the effect of interaction between neighbouring piles, from which the behaviour of groups of piles subjected to lateral loading may be deduced. Application of the solutions is demonstrated by the analysis of lateral loading tests on single piles and on groups of piles. (Author/TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00168505
• Corporate Authors:

  Institution of Civil Engineers

  One Great George Street, Westminster
  London,   United Kingdom  SW1P 3AA
• Authors:
  • RANDOLPH, M F
• Publication Date: 1981-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 247-259
• Serial:
  • GEOTECHNIQUE
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Thomas Telford Limited
  • ISSN: 0016-8505

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bending moments; Deflection; Deformation; Elasticity (Mechanics); Finite element method; Flexibility; Length; Loads; Pile groups; Soil mechanics; Soils; Stiffness; Support piles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral
• Old TRIS Terms: Pile lateral loads; Response
• ITRD Terms: 5586: Deflection; 5595: Deformation; 5912: Elasticity; 6490: Finite element method; 6488: Length; 5567: Load; 3399: Pile; 3388: Pile group; 9074: Side; 4156: Soil; 5931: Stiffness
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00348210
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 30 1982 12:00AM