Simplified Method for Analyzing Laterally Loaded Single Piles in Clays

Abstract

This paper presents a simplified method for the analysis and design of long piles under lateral load in uniform clays. The method is based on the concept of the coefficient of subgrade reaction with consideration of the soil properties being extended to include elastoplastic behavior. Under the lateral load the maximum deflections and moments were evaluated using the finite-element method. Four controlling factors—coefficient of subgrade reaction, yielding displacement of the soil, diameter of the pile, and the elastic modulus of pile shaft—are considered in the calculation. Results show that both the load-maximum deflection and load-maximum moment relationships may be expressed by normalized curves considering four controlling factors. The simple curve-fitting functions for the normalized curves are based on regression analysis. Thus the solution of maximum deflections and moments of laterally loaded piles can be estimated quickly and easily either directly from figures, or using a hand calculator.