Load transfer behaviour of a tapered rigid pile

Abstract

Based on Mohr–Coulomb theory and the load transfer method, a new method of analysing the load–settlement relation and the axial force distribution model in a tapered pile is suggested. The method proposed in the paper considers the influence of the pile–soil radial interaction on the bearing capacity and settlement behaviour. The calculation results show that the pile–soil radial interaction is strengthened and the bearing capacity of a single pile is increased when the taper angle of a rigid pile is increased. The reliability was verified by two model tests. Calculated results obtained by the proposed method were compared with the test data. The close agreement between the calculated and measured values confirmed that the method is reasonably accurate for analysing the behaviour of tapered rigid piles.