Behaviour of flexible piles in layered clays under eccentric and inclined loads

Abstract

The lateral soil pressures, bending moments, pile displacements at the ground surface, and the bearing capacity of instrumented vertical single flexible model piles in a layered clay system consisting of medium clay overlying soft clay under vertical eccentric and central inclined loads have been investigated. The results of these load tests are compared with theoretical estimates based on the concept of the effective embedment depth of equivalent rigid piles for ultimate and elastic cases. Reasonable agreement has been found between the observed and predicted behaviour of flexible piles. The analyses are also compared with the results of some field case records. Key words : bearing capacity, clay, instrumentation, model test, pile.