Vertical loads effect on the lateral pile group resistance in sand

Abstract

Vertical loads effect on the lateral response of a 3×5 pile group embedded in sand is studied through a two-dimensional finite element analysis. The soil-pile interaction in three-dimensional type is idealized in the two-dimensional analysis using soil-pile interaction springs with a hysteretic nonlinear load displacement relationship. Vertical loads inducing a vertical pile head displacement of 0.1-pile diameter increase the lateral resistance of the single pile at a 60 mm lateral deflection by 8%. Vertical loads inducing the same vertical displacement applied to a pile group spaced at 3.92-pile diameter increase the overall lateral resistance by 9%. The effect on individual piles, however, depends on the pile position. The vertical load decreases the lateral resistance of the leading pile (pile 1) by 10% and increases the lateral resistances of piles 2, 3, 4, and 5 by 9%, 14%, 17%, and 35%, respectively. Vertical loads applied to the pile group increase the confining pressures in the sand deposit confined by the piles but the rate of increase in those outside the group is relatively small, resulting in the difference in a balance of lateral soil pressures acting at the back of and in front of the individual pile.