Inclination Effect of Cyclic Load Synchronous with Lateral Static Load on Pile Group in Sandy Soil

Abstract

In general Pile foundations are often subject to more than one load in nature. Two loadings, when simultaneous, cause serious problems in the bearing capacity. Therefore, the major objective of this study is to assessment the performance of piles under inclined cyclic loads simultaneous with static lateral loads in sandy soil with a relative density of 70%. A laboratory investigates were conducted to determine effect of several factors on group pile performance model (2×2), including: the ratio of spaces between piles (i.e. 3D, 5D, 7D), influence of inclination angles of cyclic loading (i.e. 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°), the cyclic load ratio (i.e. 20%, 40%, 60% and 80%) and the effect of the presence of a static lateral load on the cyclic load.  In light of the findings, the presence of the static load with the inclined lateral cyclic load has a positive effect on the deep foundations where the lateral deflection was reduced by an average of 54% for the three spaces. Also the lateral deflection at combined lateral loading decreases with increasing pile spacing, the percentages of decreases in the lateral deflection were (16%, 73%, 75% ) for spacing (3D, 5D, 7D ) respectively