Experimental analysis of single pile and pile groups under lateral loads

摘要

Pile foundations in a lot of cases are the best solution to construct over weak soil. Piles are used to transmit axial and lateral loads from weak layers of soil to strong layers. The current study investigated experimentally the load-deflection curves and capacity of single pile and pile group against lateral loads and under the effect of several variables; piles embedment length to diameter ratios, supporting soil relative density, number of piles in the group, pile group pattern and arrangement and finally supporting soil water content. It was observed that, piles of smaller lengths deflected significantly compared with piles of greater lengths. Values of the ultimate lateral loads increased with increasing relative density of the soil. At the same average load per pile in a pile group to single pile, the displacement increased in the pile group due to interaction between piles. Group efficiency increased by increasing the relative density of the soil and decreased by increasing the number of piles in the group. Finally, the presence of small value of water content(less than 2%) in the soil improves the behavior of piles under lateral loads.