Inelastic response of two-pile group under moment loading

Abstract

Abstract Shallow foundations are mostly used in transmitting loads from the superstructure to the supporting soils. In several cases, these footings are subjected to moment loading such as vertical load and bending moment due to wind and earthquake. The main objective of the present investigation is to find out the load-displacement response of group of two piles subjected to pure moment loading in sand bed without any reinforcement. The advantage of model study is that the pertinent parameters influencing the behaviour of 2-pile group embedded in sand can be controlled easily as per the requirement. In addition, the cost of carrying out model investigations is quite less and convenience is more compared to field tests. Therefore, model study is adopted in the present investigation. The relevant parameters considered for the study are (a) dimensions of the pile models (l/d ratios), (b) Relative density conditions, (c) spacing between piles (s/d ratios).