Evaluation of Lateral Load Capacity of Bored Piles in Weathered Granite Soil

Abstract

The load-displacement responses of laterally loaded, single bored piles in weathered granite soil are investigated using field model tests and numerical analyses. Field model tests were conducted to simulate the loading conditions of foundations for offshore structures subjected to large overturning moments with small lateral loads. The results of numerical analyses from existing methods were compared with experimental data to assess their suitability to predict lateral load capacities. These comparisons revealed the following reasons for underestimating the lateral load capacities of piles in weathered granite soil in practice: cohesion component of soil, friction between pile and soil, volume expansion characteristics of soil, and the underestimation of ultimate lateral soil resistances of p-y curves. Parametric studies were used to determine the influence of the previously described factors on the lateral load capacities of piles and confirmed the importance of the appropriate estimation of these factors and their reflection in the design of engineering practices.