LATERAL LOAD RESPONSES OF PILES USING MODEL TEST AND SOFTWARE

This paper presents the study of structural responses of laterally loaded vertical piles using model tests as well as computer software. The study included soil tests, model pile tests, and theoretical analyses. A total of fifteen pile tests were conducted in a soil tank of 1 m × 1 m × 1 m size to study the effect of lateral load on piles with different soil conditions and embedded pile lengths. Model piles made of two materials copper and PVC were used. Lateral load responses of the piles were also determined using two computer software namely COM624P and ASAP. COM624P uses a non-linear approach based on the p–y curve method and ASAP is a standard structural analysis software. Two real six-pile and fourteen-pile jetty structures were analyzed and the results on different front and back piles were compared. The pile deflection and bending moment increased as the pile flexural rigidity, pile embedded length and sand compactness decreased. The p–y curve method gave the closest prediction of lateral pile behaviour. For the six-pile & fourteen-pile studies, it was observed that the deflections and bending moments for the back piles were a little less than that of the front piles, and the deflections and bending moments gradually reduced from the centre pile to side piles.