Single Piles in Cohesionless Soils Under Lateral Loads Using Elastic Continuum Approach

Response of piles due to lateral loads considering soil structure interaction has evolved over the years with various solution techniques available due to the contribution of various researchers in the field of geotechnical engineering. In the present study, various solution techniques available on the behavior of single piles under lateral loads are discussed thoroughly and parametric studies are carried out to obtain the response of single piles with floating tip in cohesionless soils, using elastic continuum approach. Analyses are also performed using versatile modulus of subgrade reaction approach. In general, elastic continuum approach though realistic, complexity exists in estimating the Young's modulus of soil, whereas modulus of subgrade reaction approach besides its simplicity can also account soil nonlinearity and thus preferred by many designers over elastic continuum approach. From the pile response so obtained by using both these methods, algebraic equations are proposed for free headed floating tip piles and also for fixed head floating tip piles for semi rigid and flexible type piles.