Behaviors of a Single Pile Subjected to Lateral Loading Predicted by Analytical and Numerical Methods

Abstract

Pile is one of the key elements of a building, which is responsible for supporting the weight of a structure and transferring it into the ground. Usually, the weight is the vertical force. In fact, the pile also must transfer the lateral force, which is important to consider. This research is interested in the analysis of behaviours of a single pile installed in sand when subjected to lateral load using non-dimensional method (NDM), finite element method (FEM) and finite difference method (FDM), of which the outcomes are internal force and deflection along the pile. The analysis also included Poulos's method (Poulos's) and characteristic load method (CLM), of which the outcomes are deflection at the ground level and maximum bending moment in the pile. The results of these analyzes were compared with the results obtained from a physical modeling test from previous research. By comparison, it is found that NDM and Poulos’s gave accurate results when the lateral load on the pile head is low. Similar result could be observed with FEM and FDM. For FDM, using of soil modulus constant with depth resulted in less accuracy than using of soil modulus varied with depth. Nonetheless, CLM gave the most accurate result comparing to the other methods as the results remained accurate despite the increased load on the pile head, because the non-linear behaviours of soil are taken into consideration. This is different from the other methods in that the non-linear behaviours of soil around the pile are not considered.