The Effect of Soil-Pile Interface Behaviour on Laterally Loaded Piles

In current practice it is either the p – y curve concept, or analytical solutions assuming different formulations for ultimate soil resistance that are being used to evaluate the lateral pile response. The adequacy of the p – y curves or of the assumed pressure distribution and ultimate soil resistance have been questioned.

In this study the lateral capacity of three-dimensional numerical models of rigid piles embedded in cohesionless soil was estimated. The potential variability of the friction properties along the perimeter of the pile was considered. The interface properties affect the ultimate soil resistance and the stiffness of the soil–pile response.