Simplified Analytical Method for Calculating the Uplift Capacity of a Single Pile in Nonhomogeneous Soil with a Nonlinear Failure Criterion

Abstract

This paper focuses on the failure of the soil around a pile, and proposes a simplified analytical method for calculating the uplift capacity of a single pile. In this method, a curved failure mechanism is built by taking into consideration the non-homogeneity of the soil. Then the uplift capacity formula for a single pile is deduced based on a nonlinear failure criterion and limit equilibrium method. Further the proposed method is validated by comparison against the numerical simulation results. The effect of the non-homogeneity of the soil and nonlinear strength coefficients on the uplift capacity of the pile is investigated. Results reveal that the uplift capacity of a single pile increases when the non-homogeneity constant of the soil increases, whereas it decreases when the nonlinear strength coefficient increases; increasing the pile length is, to a certain extent, an effective measure to improve the uplift capacity. These conclusions may serve as good references for the future design of uplift piles.