Influence of edge distance on experimental p-y curves for piles near slope

ABSTRACT

A series of 24 model laboratory tests had been performed to examine the pile response nearby the slope. The main objective of the study was to quantify the effect of the edge distance and relative density on the pile response in sloping ground with respect to level ground case. The ground slope had been maintained as 1 vertical to 1.5 horizontal for sloping ground conditions. Experiments had been performed with varying edge distances from 0 to 12 times diameter under three different relative densities as 25%, 52% and 72%. The pile response in horizontal ground condition had been acquired at the same relative density to enumerate the effect of the ground slope. The deflection and bending moment were considerably augmented for the sloping ground surface. However, values had been witnessed to decrease with the increase in the edge distance. An increase in the relative density resulted in a reduction in the pile response. A generalised p-y curve is being suggested for sloping ground conditions. Reduction factors are being reported to account for the slope effect. These can be applied to the initial stiffness and ultimate soil resistance of the p-y curve in the level ground case.

KEYWORDS:

• Laterally loaded pile
• sloping ground
• edge distance
• relative density
• lateral pile capacity
• p-y curves

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).