Numerical modelling of short pile behaviour subjected to lateral load

摘要

The behaviour of laterally loaded short rigid piles founded in sandy soil has been investigated numerically by performing a series of three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses. The parameters investigated are relative density and elasticity modulus of sandy soil, load eccentricity, pile geometry and geometric configurations such as pile cross-section, embedment ratio and pile diameter. The results of the existing design methods used for predicting the lateral load capacity of short rigid piles were compared with the results of the three-dimensional non-linear finite element analyses. The results proved that the parameters investigated had considerable effect on the behaviour of rigid piles subjected to lateral loads. It was also shown that the value of the ultimate lateral load capacity could be significantly different depending on the conventional methods used.