Lateral Analysis of Piers Constructed on Slopes

Abstract

A force‐equilibrium model was used to derive a theoretical solution for the lateral capacity of rigid piers embedded in cohesionless and c‐ϕ soil profiles having sloping ground surfaces. A parametric study indicated that the amount of reduction due to the slope presence is dependent on the value of the ground‐surface slope angle θ and the soil‐strength properties. The ultimate resistance‐reduction factor ε is presented as a function of the soil properties and the slope angle θ. The developed slope model is validated using the results of five full‐scale pier‐load tests. The angle μ, which defines the size of the displaced wedge in front of the pier, was assumed equal to ϕ/2 for predictions that both accounted for and ignored the slope presence. In addition, predictions were carried out using angle ft corresponding to minimum‐resistance wedge. Accounting for the slope effect, predicted capacities were within 15‐25% of the measured capacities. On the other hand, predictions made ignoring the presence of the slope overpredicted the measured capacities by as much as 50%.