Non-linear performance analysis of free headed piles in consolidating soil subjected to lateral loads

• Main Authors: S. Sivaraman, Kasinathan Muthukkumaran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-04-01
• Series: Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal
• Subjects: Plate load test; Lateral load behaviour; Instrumented pile; Consolidation effect; Load-displacement curve
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215098620342282

The analysis of laterally loaded pile is complex due to its site specific behaviour. Whereas most of the analytical methods provides only a generalized solution to it. Behaviour of piles in clay depends on site specific factors like subsoil condition, type of super-structure and the load transfer from it, construction duration and ground improvement process. The present study deals with the assessment of lateral load behaviour of pile based on the results of conventional and instrumented field load tests. The pile was designed based on the results of laboratory and field geotechnical investigations. The diameter and depth of bored cast in-situ pile were fixed as 600 mm and 16 m from the natural ground level respectively. The deflection profile obtained using inclinometer for various lateral loads on piles tested during different phases of site development were analyzed. The pile bending moment, shear force and soil reaction profile were established from the inclinometer data. The results obtained from the experimental data were found to be comparable with that of analytical method. The non-linear lateral load-displacement curves obtained from the load test conducted at different period of consolidation induced by site development process were analyzed. The curves thus obtained were transferred into a non-dimensional kh/khmax versus shear strain curve for the formation of equation explicit to the specific site. A site specific equation was proposed for the estimation of lateral load-displacement curve with respect to degree of consolidation of the surrounding soil subjected to surcharge load induced by the site development process.