A Calculation Method for the Distribution of Lateral Force Acting on Stabilizing Piles Considering Soil Arching Effect

Abstract

Setting stabilizing piles is one of the significant measures to avoid landslides or slope failures, and the basis of the design of the piles, such as section’s size and reinforcement, is the distribution of landslide thrust force acting on the piles. One of the most widely used methods to estimate the force is proposed by Ito, which is based on the theory of plastic deformation. Soil arching effect is caused by the shear resistance because of the relative movement of the soil in the middle and behind the piles, and the effect has great impact on the lateral force. Considering the soil arching effect and Ito’s plastic deformation method, we deduced a new calculation method. The new formula defines the range of the value of thrust force on stabilizing piles. Contrasted with Ito’ method through the analysis of the examples quoted by Ito, the results by the new method was closer to the observed values. The similar conclusion also can be obtained through the contrast in the example of 5# pile in Shabei I Slope. So the new method to estimate the landslide thrust force in soil slope has applicability in the design of stabilizing piles.