Study on laterally loaded piles with rectangular and circular cross sections

Abstract

The conventional approach in the design of laterally loaded piles with rectangular cross section involves the simplification of converting the rectangular cross section of the pile to an equivalent circular cross section. An analysis to determine the response of laterally loaded rectangular or circular piles in elastic soil is presented in which this simplification is not required. The analysis is based on the solution of differential equations governing the displacements of the pile–soil system derived using energy principles. The pile geometry and the elastic constants of the soil and pile are the input parameters to the analysis. Using this analysis, comparisons are made between the response of rectangular and circular piles in elastic soil. Based on the proposed solution scheme, a user-friendly spreadsheet program (LATPAXL) was developed that can be used to perform the analysis. In addition, simple equations obtained by regression analysis of the pile head deflection and bending moment profiles are proposed. Examples illustrate the use of the analysis.

Keywords:

• lateral load
• analytical solution
• rectangular pile
• circular pile
• elasticity

Acknowledgement

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation [grant number 0556347]. The authors are grateful for the support received from the program director, Dr. Richard Fragaszy.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.