Static and dynamic laterally loaded floating piles : Kuhlemeyer, R L J Geotech Engng Div ASCE, V105, NGT2, Feb 1979, P289–304

Abstract

The writer applauds the simplicity of the author's hand method for computing settlements of laterally loaded piles, but he feels that there are underlying assumptions that are questionable. He points out that a designer using the author's method will first of all need to know the E sub p/E sub s ratio for the pile group. The E sub p is easy to estimate, but the E sub s is quite difficult to estimate. A suitable method for calculating E sub s is to back figure its value from in-situ pile loading tests. However, if results of pile-load tests are available, the role of analytical methods for estimating settlement is likely to be less important. Alternatively, E sub s values may be estimated from empirical relationships derived from an analysis of past load tests on piles that relate E sub s to the shear strength of the soil. Even if the problem of E sub s values is resolved satisfactorily, the author's approach does not specify how interaction between piles should be taken into account. The writer finds its difficult to accept that Poisson's ratio does not influence the computation values for the following reason: it is reasonable to assume that for piles driven in cohesive soils the long-term settlement will differ from the immediate or short-term settlement. Also, it is unclear where thhe author's method fits in the overall pile- design procedure since no guidance is given as to how loads and moments carried by individual piles in a group are to be determined.