Ultimate capacity of flexible piles under eccentric and inclined loads

Abstract

The ultimate bearing capacity of flexible single model piles and small pile groups of timber and nylon in loose sand and soft clay has been determined under various combinations of eccentricity and inclination of the load varying in direction from vertical to horizontal. The results of the load tests are presented in the form of polar bearing capacity diagrams and they are compared with the theoretical estimates based on the concept of an effective embedment depth in terms of the behaviour of equivalent rigid piles. Reasonable agreement has been found between the observed and predicted ultimate bearing capacity of flexible piles under any combination of eccentricity and inclination of loads. Key words: flexible piles, pile groups, ultimate bearing capacity, ultimate moment, model test, eccentric load, inclined load, sand, clay.