Behaviour Of Pile Groups Under Lateral Loads

• Main Author: Ercan, Anil
• Other Authors: Erol, Orhan
• Format: Others
• Language: Eng
• Published: METU 2010
• Subjects: QA Numerical Analysis 297-299.4; Piles; Pile Groups; Pile Spacing; Finite Element
• Online Access: http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12611804/index.pdf

To investigate the lateral load distribution of each pile in a pile group, the bending moment distribution along the pile and the lateral group displacements with respect to pile location in the group, pile spacing, pile diameter and soil stiffness three dimensional finite element analysis were performed on 4x4 pile groups in clay. Different Elatic Modulus values, pile spacings, pile diameters and lateral load levels used in this study. In the analysis PLAXIS 3D Foundation geotechnical finite element package was used. It is found that, lateral load distribution among the piles was mainly a function of row location in the group independent from pile spacing. For a given load the leading row piles carried the greatest load. However, the trailing row piles carried almost the same loads. For a given load, bending moment values of the leading row piles were greater than the trailing row piles. On the other hand, as the spacing increased group displacements and individual pile loads decreased under the same applied load. However, this behavior was seen more clearly in the first and the second row piles. For the third and the fourth row piles, pile spacing became a less significant factor affecting the load distribution. It is also found that, pile diameter and soil stiffness are not significant factors on lateral load distribution as row location and pile spacing.