Analysis of Laterally Loaded Piles in Soft Clays

Abstract

The results of an alternative procedure to the p‐y method for the elastoplastic analysis of laterally loaded piles are presented. This analysis is based on the boundary‐element method and assumes knowledge of the shear‐strength profile of the soil. In this paper, the shear strength is assumed to increase linearly with depth, a reasonable assumption for soft clays. The influence of soil yielding on the loading response of laterally loaded single piles is explicated by the results of a comprehensive parametric study. These results are cast in a form that is particularly suitable for design purposes. The validity of the analysis is demonstrated through comparisons with data obtained from a published case history. The ease with which the method can be applied to practice is illustrated by an example.