Optimal isosceles trapezoid cross section of laterally loaded piles based on friction soil arching

Abstract

The paper presents a novel analytical solution to determine an optimal isosceles trapezoid cross-section of stabilizing piles subjected to the lateral load. In view of the pile-soil interaction mechanical analysis on the friction soil arching between the adjacent stabilizing piles, a general mechanical model for analyzing the behavior of the laterally loaded stabilizing piles with isosceles trapezoid cross-section is put forward. The reasonable net pile spacing expression for all kinds of isosceles trapezoid section piles is established via the analytical deduction, and it indicates that there is a positive relationship between the reasonable net pile spacing and gradient of pile sidewall. In consideration of the strength failure possibility in the apex of friction soil arching, the complete expressions of both the gradient of pile sidewall and corresponding reasonable net pile spacing of stabilizing piles can be established. The case study of Jinle landslide verifies that the reasonable pile spacing obtained by the presented model is slightly greater than that of the conventional design scheme, which shows that the stabilizing piles with optimal isosceles trapezoid cross-section can results in reducing the investment of the whole stabilizing piles.