Numerical Study on the Effect of Slope and Loading Direction on Laterally Loaded Piles in Sand

Abstract

Piles are subjected to lateral loading due to wind or wave action and earthquakes. Therefore, it is important to understand the pile response under the action of lateral loads. The study of laterally loaded pile response requires a proper assessment of soil–structure interaction phenomenon involving the interaction between the pile and the surrounding soil. The deflection of pile is an important factor to be considered in understanding the behavior of laterally loaded piles. Pile foundations are majorly utilized in coastal regions and are generally susceptible to slopes. Hence, to understand the effect of sloping ground on a laterally loaded pile is a necessity. The lateral loads may act on both directions (in the forward direction of slope and reverse) depending on natural phenomenon. Though, various experimental studies have been done to understand the effect of slope on laterally loaded piles, the effect of loading direction is predominantly not considered. In this paper, the results of the laboratory model tests performed to study the effect of slope and loading direction on laterally loaded piles installed in cohesionless soil (Muthukkumaran, Int J Geomechan ASCE 14(1):1–7, 2014 [1]) are validated using FEM software PLAXIS 3D. The slope of 1V:1.5H is maintained throughout the experimental set. The relative densities, distance from the crest of slope toward both sides (slope and embankment) and loading direction are variables that are considered. The pile capacity in sloping grounds is compared to that in the horizontal ground and the influence of slopes on the pile capacity is also discussed.