Soil-structure interaction for landslide stabilizing piles

The mechanics of the mobilization of resistance from passive pile groups subjected to lateral soil movement is discussed from the standpoint of the arching effect. The existence of an arching zone around pile groups for granular and fine-grained soils is examined first using the finite difference computer code FLAC [Fast Lagrangian analysis of continua, version 3.4, manual (1998)]. Pile load-displacement curves and the arching effect are linked together to explain how the stresses transfer from the soil to the pile. The effect of parameter changes on pile/soil interaction are also explained by the changes in the arching phenomenon. The results reveal that the formation and shape of the arching zone are functions of pile arrangement, relative pile/soil displacement, pile shape, interface roughness, and soil dilation angle. Group effects in granular soil are significant but no significant effects in fine-grained soil under lateral active loading and lateral soil movement (passive loading) for one row of piles, was observed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.