Behaviour of rigid piles in layered soils under eccentric and inclined loads

Abstract

The lateral soil pressures, ultimate bearing capacity, and displacements of instrumented vertical single rigid model piles in a layered system consisting of soft clay overlying loose sand and subjected to vertical eccentric and central inclined loads have been investigated. The variation of lateral soil pressures and the tip resistance of the pile are analysed with respect to the total load or moment on the pile. Theoretical estimates of pile capacity in homogeneous soils under pure moment and under horizontal load have been extended to piles in a layered system. For intermediate eccentricities and inclinations of the load, the pile capacity can be estimated from simple interaction relations or semiempirical eccentricity and inclination factors. The pile displacements are analysed in the light of linear elastic theory and nondimensional p − y curves. Reasonable agreement has been found between the measured and predicted values. Key words: bearing capacity, clay, displacements, eccentric load, horizontal load, lateral pressure, layered system, model test, pile, sand.