Effect of Rock-Socketing on Laterally Loaded Piles Installed in the Proximity of Sloping Ground

Abstract

Research performed on pile foundations installed over sloping ground has consistently reported a reduction in the lateral load capacity. Therefore, identifying ideal solutions for the related circumstances is imperative. This paper explores the possibility of socketing piles into rock as a viable solution for piles being installed in the vicinity of sloping ground. A parametric study has been conducted on freestanding and rock-socketed piles on sloping ground by varying the position of the pile and the direction of loading. Tests have been performed on loose sand of 35% relative density by maintaining a slope of 1V:1.5H. The positions of the pile from the crest were planned at increments of five times the pile diameter on both sides. The behavior of the pile installed at the crest of the slope, that is, 0D, was also of interest as part of this study. The direction of loading was varied with either forward (toward the slope) or reverse (away from the slope) loading for all positions of the pile. The depth of socketing was established to a height of three times the diameter from the bottom of the pile. The socketed pile behavior was compared with that of freestanding piles that were installed and tested with identical parameters. Based on the experimental results obtained, it was observed that the rock-socketed pile at even +5D distance from the crest achieved the lateral load capacity of an unsocketed pile installed on uninfluenced horizontal ground. It was also observed that the socketed piles exhibited a significant increase in the lateral load capacity relative to the unsocketed piles in all positions considered.