Experimental Investigation of Single Model Pile Subjected to Lateral Load in Sloping Ground

Abstract

A detailed laboratory experimental model tests was undertaken to study the effect of slope on laterally load pile capacity and p–y curves. The paper concerns the method developed in a series of laboratory model tests (27 lateral load tests) to experimentally determine p–y curves. The study was carried out on horizontal ground and two different types of slope such as, 1 Vertical to 2 Horizontal (1V:2H) and 1 Vertical to 1.5 Horizontal (1V:1.5H) with different relative density of 30, 45 and 70 % and three different pile embedment lengths [length to diameter ratios (L/D) of 25, 30 and 35]. The study includes the effect of ground slope, relative density and embedment length on lateral load capacity, bending moment, lateral soil resistance, lateral deflection and p–y curves. From the study it is concluded that the increase in pile-soil relative stiffness increases the lateral resistance against the lateral load and hence the depth of fixity reduces for increase in relative density. It is also found that the soil resistance increases with increase in the depth of the soil, relative density of the soil and the embedment length of the pile whereas the soil resistance decreases with increase in the slope of the ground surface.