Analysis of Dynamic Laterally Loaded Pile in Clay

Abstract

Analyses of a dynamic lateral load test conducted on a full‐sized pipe pile supporting a rigid cap‐mass superstructure are described. Three algorithms representing different categories of mathematical models that simulate pile‐soil interaction were employed in the analyses. These algorithms represented: (1) A hysteretic subgrade reaction model capable of modeling gap formation; (2) a fully coupled subgrade reaction (boundary element) model that accounts for nonlinear behavior; and (3) an approximate (plane strain) linear model. Input parameters were varied for each of the models in order to develop an appreciation for appropriate inputs. All of the models were found to yield reasonable, but not exact, correspondence with frequency response functions at the location of the cap‐mass measured during sweep loading of the capmass. Inputs necessary to obtain such correspondence were found that were predicted upon field measurements or upon published criteria. System damping was predicted to be too low with all models, with the exception of one set of inputs for Model 1, based on comparisons of the widths of the predicted and measured response functions.