Analysis of laterally loaded piles in weak rock

The p-y method for the analysis of piles under lateral loading is extended here to the analysis of single piles in rock Rational equations are presented for developing a solution, but the method is termed ''interim'' principally because of the meager amount of experimental data available to validate the equations. Nonlinearity, both in the p-y curves and in the bending stiffness of the pile, must be considered in solving for the loading that will cause a failure in bending, deflection, or buckling under combined loading. Two case studies are presented whereby the analytical method is shown to agree well with results from experiments. However, loading tests of full-sized piles are recommended at any site where a sizable number of piles are needed, to further improve the analytical method presented herein.