Effect of compressive load on oblique pull-out capacity of model piles in sand

Model tests on steel piles embedded in sand were carried out in the laboratory to study the effects of compressive load (i.e. 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of their ultimate capacity in compression) on oblique pull-out capacity of piles. The model piles were of 20 mm × 20 mm cross section, which had an embedded length of 400 and 600 mm. The pull was applied at an inclination of 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° with vertical axis of the piles. The experimental results indicate that the net oblique pull-out capacity of piles decreases with increase in % of compressive load and the decrease depends on the magnitude of the compressive load. Semi-empirical methods, based on experimental results, have been suggested to determine the oblique pull-out resistance of piles subjected to static compressive loads. A comparison of predicted values of the ultimate oblique resistance by proposed methods of analysis with experimental values, and also with those reported by others, showed reasonably good agreement. © Springer 2006.