Evaluation of Liquefaction-induced Lateral Force on Pile in Slope by Centrifuge Tests

Abstract

Pile foundations in liquefied ground may be subjected to a substantial force induced by lateral soil movement, which is crucial in the seismic design of pile-supported structures. Thus, this study aims to investigate the liquefaction-induced lateral force to piles by conducting centrifuge tests. Pile–deck systems installed in liquefiable finite slope with an angle of 27° were constructed and tested with different base motions. Results show that the liquefied slope pushes the piles toward the downslope, causing a large bending moment. The linear and uniform distributions of lateral soil pressure, which have been previously suggested for pile analysis in liquefied ground, were examined and compared with the measured maximum bending moment. The linear soil pressure profile reasonably predicted the bending moment compared to the results of the uniform profile. The empirical gradient factor of the linear profile was calibrated for the single piles and then implemented in the pile group analysis. The calibrated factor improved conventional methods for predicting the bending moment profile of group piles.