Field Tests on Laterally Loaded Rigid Piles in Cement Treated Soils

Abstract

A series of laterally loaded pile tests carried out both in natural ground and in cemented treated soil is presented in this paper. The length to diameter ratio L/D of the piles was selected as 5, representing the behavior of a free-headed, short pile that will move as a rigid body in the direction of the applied load without structural damage. The extent of the treated soil layer around the pile ranged from 2–4 times the pile diameter and 0.1–0.3 times the pile length. The treated layer was a mixture of Osorio sand and early strength portland cement. Experimental results show a significant increase in lateral load resistance of short piles when the soil is treated with cement.