A non-linear soil model for predicting lateral pile response

Abstract

The non-linear soil model presented in this thesis, appears to closely represent the in-situ behaviour of soil around a laterally loaded pile. The same soil model is able to represent the behaviour of both sand and clay. The load displacement curve proposed by this model is less intricate in shape than the p-y curves, which are currently considered to be the most accurate method of predicting lateral pile response. Only two parameters are required to model sand behaviour; an estimate of the initial small strain soil stiffness, and an estimate of the ultimate soil resistance. When modelling the behaviour of clay, a third parameter is required. For the tests modelled by the author, the pile responses predicted by this model are of a similar standard of accuracy to the responses predicted using the p-y curves. A summary of the methods currently in use for predicting lateral pile response is also provided, along with a discussion on their relative merits and deficiencies.