Discussion of “Strain Wedge Model Capability of Analyzing Behavior of Laterally Loaded Isolated Piles, Drilled Shafts, and Pile Groups” by Mohamed Ashour, Gary Norris, and Patrick Pilling

Abstract

A discussion of an earlier paper with the aforementioned title published in this journal (Volume 7, Number 4, July/August 2002), is presented. Kocsis comments on the strain wedge model technique for analyzing laterally loaded piles that was described in the original paper, and discusses a technique used by Chicago's bridge division. The Chicago technique is based on a finite-difference method, and suggests that the load-deflection curve can be satisfactorily approximated by a straight line when dealing with deflections in the range of 6 to 19 mm. Other methods for analyzing laterally loaded piles are discussed.