Lateral resistance and deflection of flexible piles

Abstract

The ultimate lateral resistance and the groundline lateral deflections under working loads of freestanding single model piles and small pile groups, of various materials and different embedded lengths, subjected to horizontal load have been investigated. The test results of piles of various stiffnesses in sand and clay are compared with theoretical analyses based on the concept of an effective embedment depth in terms of the behaviour of equivalent rigid piles. Key words: clay, piles, displacements, lateral load, lateral resistance, pile stiffness, sand, ultimate load.