Pile Response Due to Excavation-Induced Lateral Soil Movement

Abstract

In this paper, a two-stage analysis involving the finite-element method and the boundary-element method is used to study pile response due to excavation-induced lateral soil movements, with specific attention being focused on braced excavations in clay layers. Influences of various parameters on pile response are investigated and design charts for estimating pile bending moments and deflections are presented. These may be used by practicing engineers to assess the behavior of existing piles due to the excavation. The application of the charts is demonstrated via a study of two published historical cases. Comparisons are presented between measured pile behavior and that predicted both from the chart solutions and the computer analyses. It is found that the chart solutions may be extended approximately to cover other soil types, but are not applicable to the case of unsupported excavations.