Lateral load tests on model pile groups : Selby, A G; Poulos, H G Proc 4th Australia-New Zealand conference on geomechanics, Perth, Western Australia, 14–18 May 1984 V1, P154–158. Publ Barton: Inst of Engineers, 1984

Abstract

A series of laboratory tests on model single piles and pile groups in sand is described. The main objectives of the tests were to examine the effect in laterally loaded pile groups, whereby the front piles carry a greater proportion of load than the rear piles. The tests clearly showed this shielding effect and indicated that, as the load increased towards failure, the sign of the bending moment in the rear piles could even change. Load cycling was found to influence bending moments in the piles, but to have little effect on pile shears. Comparisons between measured and theoretical group deflections, moments, shears and axial forces, showed some measure of agreement, particularly if the theory incorporated pile-soil-pile interaction. However, none of the existing theories was capable of allowing directly for the shielding effect. Consequently, theoretical predictions of shear and moment distributions within laterally loaded pile groups will remain inaccurate until allowance for the shielding effect is made. (Author/TRRL)