Finite element analysis of cyclic behaviour of laterally loaded pile influenced by vertical and biaxial loading

ABSTRACT

This study is concerned with evaluating the response of single pile subjected to cyclic horizontal uniaxial loading. Combination of lateral cyclic loading and constant vertical or lateral load in two-orthogonal directions is also studied. Moreover, the influence of one- and two-way loading, number of cycles and the intensity of constant load in conjunction with the cyclic lateral load is presented. The study is further continued by comparing the performance of long and short single pile embedded in clayey soil. A series of three-dimensional finite element models using ANSYS code are conducted to model three-dimensional transient analysis as well as the complicated soil pile interaction. In order to verify the validity numerical model, the numerical response is compared with reported results obtained by experimental cyclic load test performed on single pile penetrated in soft clay. Results show strong coupling between the two-orthogonal direction of lateral loading that decreases the lateral pile capacity. The interaction relation of biaxial loading with the factor b = 1.2 and 1.15 for one- and two-way loading respectively may well approximate the analysis results. The results of study are presented in terms of lateral cyclic capacities, pile head deflection, displacement profile and bending moment over the pile length.

KEYWORDS:

• Laterally loaded pile
• cyclic loading
• interaction curve
• numerical analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.