P-y Curve for Estimation Lateral Bearing Capacity of Single Bored Pile in Overconsolidated Soils Using the Three-Dimensional Finite Element Method.

Abstract

The p-y curve method is widely used to predict piles' lateral bearing capacity. It assumes independent springs with a non-linear modulus of subgrade reaction for analyzing soil resistance (p) and deflection (y). This study determined the lateral bearing capacity using the three-dimensional finite element method (FEM-3D) and finite difference method (FDM), which was later compared with the loading test results. Therefore, the pile head condition is assumed to be the free-head. To determine the lateral bearing capacity, input the lateral deflection at the pile head. In FEM-3D, the pile and lateral deflection in the pile head is modeled using cluster elements and surface-prescribed horizontal displacements, respectively. On the other hand, in FDM, pile heads and boundary conditions are modeled using displacement and moment. The results of the lateral bearing capacity using FEM-3D provide predictions that are close to the loading test, with a difference of about 4.2%. In contrast, the FDM method produced conservative results due to its reliance on semi-empirical formulas. The ultimate soil resistance (Pult) formula in FDM is more suitable for rigid-pile behavior. The prediction of lateral bearing capacity using FEM-3D provides more accurate results due to its ability to model complex soil-pile interaction. The stress history, soil-pile interaction, and more reliable constitutive models can be modeled in FEM-3D.