Behaviour of Laterally Loaded Piles in Layered Soil Deposits

IGC 2009, Guntur, INDIA

BEHAVIOUR OF LATERALLY LOADED PILES IN LAYERED SOIL DEPOSITS

J. Sherin Nisha P.G Student, Division of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University Chennai, Chennai600 025, India. E-mail: jsherinnisha@yahoo.co.in M. Muttharam Assistant Professor, Division of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Anna University Chennai, Chennai600 025, India. E-mail: muttharamrajendran@yahoo.co.in ABSTRACT: A model pile of diameter 19 mm was used to find the lateral capacity of pile with L/D ratios of 12, 18 and 24 embedded in clay bed of consistencies 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 underlain by sand layer of relative density 60% by varying the thickness of clay bed to 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 times the length of pile. Further, tests for lateral capacity are performed with uniform clay layer thickness of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 times the length of pile equal to 18D = 342 mm. Experimental results of pile subjected to lateral load showed that the ultimate lateral load of pile increases almost linearly with increase in consistency and embedded length of the pile in layered soil. For L/D ratio12, the ultimate lateral load of pile for uniform clay layer thickness is less than the ultimate lateral load of pile for varying clay layer thickness and for L/D ratio 24, the ultimate lateral load of pile for uniform clay layer thickness increases. However, the lateral load capacity increases with increase in L/D ratios of pile, consistency of clay bed and decrease in clay layer thickness. 1. INTRODUCTION Laterally loaded piles are commonly used in engineering practice. Many structures, such as some bridges and other transportation structures, oil production platforms, transmission towers, high-rise buildings, earth retaining structures, quays, wharfs and jetties transfer lateral loads to the ground. Wind gusts are the most common cause of lateral loads that a pile must support. Wind loads are important for tall buildings and transmission towers. Lateral loads are also caused by seismic activity. Horizontal ground shaking during earthquakes generates lateral forces that piles must withstand. In the case of bridge abutments and piers, horizontal forces are caused due to traffic and wind movement. Dams and lock structures have to withstand water pressures that transfer as horizontal forces to the supporting piles (Indian department of transportation 2007). Analysis relating to behavior of piles under lateral loads forms an important aspect in the design of piles (Basu & Salgado 2007). The design of the laterally loaded pile is mainly governed by the property of the soil present at the proximity of top of the pile. In many situations the pile terminated at strong sandy stratum can be overlain by soft clay stratum. Therefore it is essential to study the performance of lateral load carrying capacity of piles founded in layered soil for the safe and economical design of pile foundation. In this paper, attempts are made to understand the behavior of laterally loaded piles founded in a layered deposit i.e., clay layer underlain by sand for varying various parameters such as consistency of clay bed, L/D ratio of pile and relative thickness of clay to sand bed. 2. MATERIALS In coastal areas the top soil is of soft clay in nature and this can be laid over sandy stratum. River Sand collected from locally available area was used in all the experiments. Clay sample collected from Siruseri, Chennai, India was used in all the experiments. An open pit was dug at the site and the bulk of clay soil samples were collected at a depth of 2 m. This soil was air dried, powered and passed through required IS sieve to carry out respective experiments. A steel circular tank of diameter 400 mm and height 500 mm was used to prepare the layered soil bed for conducting experiments. Hollow aluminum piles with an outer diameter of 19 mm and thickness of 1mm plugged at both ends was used. The length to diameter ratio L/D of the piles of 12, 18, and 24 were selected to study the behaviour of laterally loaded piles. In the present study, piles with L/D = 12 is classified as short, piles with L/D = 18 as intermediate and piles with L/D = 24 as long flexible pile as per the recommendations of Terzaghi (1955). Uniformly graded clean river sand was used for conducting the experiments. To characterize the soil, tests for index properties are conducted as per BIS procedure. The grain size distribution obtained from sieve analysis as per IS: 2720 part IV (1970) is presented. The sand composed of 20% coarse sand, 66% medium sand and 14% fine sand. As per the Indian soil classification system the sand is classified as

705

Behaviour of Laterally Loaded Piles in Layered Soil Deposits

poorly graded sand (SP). The index properties of the soil are presented. The soil is composed of 6% fine sand, 18% silt and 76% clay. The liquid limit of the soil is 86%, plastic limit is 29% and plasticity index is 57%. As per the Indian soil classification system the soil is classified as high plasticity clay (CH). 3. METHODS In the analysis of laterally loaded piles, the main parameters involved are ultimate lateral capacity and lateral displacement. Lateral capacity has to be obtained corresponding to a certain level of deflection from load deflection curves. Ultimate lateral load capacity governs the behavior of short and rigid piles. Ultimate capacity of a laterally loaded pile is usually fixed based on same deflection criteria. The two widely used criterions are suggested by Broms (1964) and Meyerhof (1980). As per Broms (1964), ultimate capacity is taken as the load corresponding to a deflection equal to 20% of the diameter of the pile. As per Meyerhof (1980), ultimate lateral capacity is that one at which the portion of load-deflection curve becomes straight. The criterion suggested by Meyerhof has been used in the present investigation. For laterally loaded piles, Broms (1965) developed a simplified solution based on the assumptions of i) shear failure in soil, which is the case for short piles and ii) bending of pile governed by plastic yield resistance of the pile section, which is applicable to long piles. Piles may be treated as rigid if the soil mass surrounding the pile fails in shear and rotation of pile occurs under lateral loads. On the other hand, when the surrounding soil is relatively stiff and the piles are long and slender, there is a possibility of bending of pile prior to the shear failure in soil and in such cases piles are referred as flexible. This aspect is further explained using some non-dimensional terms as suggested by earlier researchers (Broms in 1964, Matlock & Reese in 1956, Poulos & Davis in1980). 3.1 Experimental Programme The prime objective of this investigation is to determine the behaviour of laterally loaded pile in layered soil. The effect of consistency of clay, L/D ratio of pile and relative thickness of clay to sand bed are the main variable parameters in this study. Tests are performed on piles of L/D ratios of 12, 18 and 24 embedded in clay bed of consistency 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 underlain by sand layer of relative density 60% by varying the thickness of clay bed to 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 times length of the pile. Further, the performance on piles of L/D ratios of 12, 18 and 24 are tested for their lateral capacity embedded in clay bed of consistency 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 underlain by sand layer of relative density 60% by uniform clay layer thickness of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 times length of the pile equal to 18D = 342 mm. Table 1 shows the various experimental programme conducted in the present study.

Table 1: Ultimate Lateral Load of Piles with Varying Clay Layer Thickness Ultimate lateral load (N) Thickness Consistency of clay IC L/D = 12 L/D =18 L/D = 24 layer 0.2 96.21 124 141 0.25L 0.35 127.16 148.98 159.57 0.5 155.24 174.52 190 0.2 41.22 60.45 76.98 0.5L 0.35 63.27 71.51 88.87 0.5 82.60 88.09 110.04 0.2 10.94 18 25.02 0.75L 0.35 16.58 26.46 36.34 0.5 22.23 33.52 46.22 3.2 Experimental Procedure The schematic representation for laterally loaded pile in layered soil deposits with relative thickness of clay to sand bed of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 times length of the pile. Experiments were conducted with consistencies of 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5. The required quantity of air dried clayey soil is blended with water content corresponding to the above mentioned consistencies. After conditioning the required quantity of soil it is kept for two days before it is placed in the test tank. Enough care has been taken to control the moisture at the desired consistency and density in all the cases. The sand layer is filled from the bottom of the tank and compacted using vibrator to the desired height and the conditioned clayey soil is then filled in the tank in layers from the bottom of the tank up to the desired elevation by adopting kneading compaction technique. The pile is then placed vertically in position and preparation of layer is continued up to the top level of the tank. To facilitate lateral loading, pile was connected to loading frame using high-tension wire. The displacement at pile head was measured using dial gauge. After placing the pile in position, it was loaded laterally at load increment of 5.5N for clay layer thickness of 0.25L and 0.5L and a load increment of 1.4N for clay layer thickness of 0.75L. The displacement at the top of the pile for each load increment was noted at pre- determined time intervals (i.e for 15 minutes). From the values obtained load deflection curve is drawn and the procedure is continued for different parameters to determine the behaviour of pile in layered soil. 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The shape of lateral load versus displacement curve is generally convex upward initially followed by gradual increases in load with displacement for single pile. 4.1 Lateral Load versus Displacement Behavior of Pile Embedded in Clay Bed of Thickness 0.25L Followed by Sand Layer Figure 1 shows the lateral load versus displacement relationship for a single pile of L/D ratio 12 embedded in

706

Behaviour of Laterally Loaded Piles in Layered Soil Deposits

sand bed of relative density 60% and clay bed of various consistencies 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 with clay layer thickness equal to 0.25 times length of the pile.The shape of lateral load versus displacement curve is generally convex upward initially followed by gradual increases in load with displacement for single pile. Similar trend of behaviour was obtained for pile of L/D ratios 18 and 24 as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively.

By analysing the data presented in Table 1 it can be inferred that, though the lateral load carrying capacity of piles increases with increase in length of pile and consistency of clay bed, the rate of increase in ultimate capacity decreases as the thickness of clay layer increases. When the lateral load is applied to the pile, the soil infront of the pile towards the direction of deflection gets compressed and is in the passive state. The lateral capacity mainly depends on the plastic resistance developed and this in turn depends upon the type of soil. For the clayey soil the passive resistance developed is much lesser than that of the same in sandy soil. As the thickness of clay layer increases, the thickness of sandy stratum in contact with the pile is reduced. This leads to the reduction in the lateral load capacity. 4.3 Comparison of Lateral Load Capacity of Piles of Various Consistencies for Various L/D Ratios with Uniform Clay Bed Thickness Figure 3 shows that lateral load versus displacement at the pile head for 0.2, 0.35 and 0.5 consistencies with 0.25L clay layer thickness.

Fig. 1: Variation of Lateral Load and Displacement at Pile Head for Pile with L/D = 12, Dr = 60%, Clay Layer Thickness = 0.25L 4.2 Ultimate Lateral Load for Clay Layer of Thickness 0.5L (D = 19 mm, L = 18D = 342 mm) In Figure 2 the variation of ultimate lateral load with the consistency of clay bed is plotted for pile with L/D ratios of 12,18 and 24. For the pile of L/D ratio 12 embedded in clay bed of consistencies 0.35 and 0.5 the ultimate capacity is respectively 1.53 and 2.00 times the ultimate capacity at consistency of 0.2. For the pile of L/D ratio 18 embedded in clay bed of consistencies at 0.35 and 0.5 the ultimate capacity is respectively 1.18 and 1.45 times the ultimate capacity at consistency of 0.2. For the pile of L/D ratio 24 embedded in clay bed of consistencies 0.35 and 0.5 the ultimate capacity is respectively 1.08 and 1.21 times the ultimate capacity at consistency of 0.2.

Lateral Load (N)

Displacement at pile head (mm)

Fig. 3: Comparison of Load versus Displacement Response of 0.2 Consistency with 0.25L (L = 18D = 342 mm) Clay Layer Thickness for Different L/D Ratios 4.4 Ultimate Lateral Load for Different L/D Ratios of Piles The ultimate lateral load capacity of pile increases with increase in L/D ratio of piles for all the cases. The rate of increase in ultimate lateral load capacity is nearly linear for single pile with increase in length of pile. Comparison of ultimate lateral load for different L/D ratios of piles and consistencies for constant clay layer thickness is as shown in Figure 4. The ultimate lateral load capacity of piles with uniform clay layer thickness is tabulated in Table 2. 707

Fig. 2: Variation of Ultimate Lateral Load with the Consistency for Clay Layer Thickness = 0.5L (L = 18D = 342 mm)

Behaviour of Laterally Loaded Piles in Layered Soil Deposits

Fig. 4: Comparison of Ultimate Lateral Load for Different L/D Ratios of Piles and Consistencies for Constant 0.25L (L = 18D = 342 mm) Clay Layer Thickness Table 2: Ultimate Lateral Load of Piles with Uniform Clay Layer Thickness Ultimate lateral load (N) Thickness Consistency of clay IC layer L/D= 12 L/D =18 L/D= 24 0.25L (L=18D) 0.5L (L=18D) 0.75L (L=18D) 0.2 0.35 0.5 0.2 0.35 0.5 0.2 0.35 0.5 64.40 78.80 109.85 35.59 50.08 70.14 8.35 13.76 20.82 124 148.98 174.52 60.45 71.51 88.09 18 26.46 33.52 254.58 275.67 301.69 157.51 171.36 190.72 88.21 99.23 110.10

linearly with increase in consistency and embedded length of the pile in layered soil. For L/D ratio 12, the ultimate lateral load of pile for varying length founded in clay bed of uniform thickness decreases for clay layer thickness equal to 0.25L, 0.5L and0.75L. The lateral loaded piles showed that as the clay layer thickness increases the ultimate lateral load decreases. For L/D ratio 18, the ultimate lateral load of pile for varying length founded in clay bed of uniform thickness and in clay bed of varying thickness remains constant for clay layer thickness equal to 0.25L, 0.5L and 0.75L since the clay layer thickness is uniform for both cases. For L/D ratio 24, the ultimate lateral load of pile for varying length founded in clay bed of uniform thickness increases for clay layer thickness equal to 0.25L, 0.5L and 0.75L. From the results it is inferred that, lateral loaded capacity increase with increase in L/D ratios, consistency of clay bed and decrease in clay layer thickness.

REFERENCES Alem, A. and Benamar, A. (2002). Graphs for the Design of Laterally Loaded Piles in Clay, Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, 7B, 2002. Ashour, M., Pilling, P. and Noriss, G. (2004). Lateral Behavior of Pile Groups in Layered Soils, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol.130 (6), pp. 580592. Basu, D. and Salgado, R. (2007). Elastic Analysis of Laterally Loaded Pile in Multi-layered Soil, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 2 (3), pp. 183196. Charles, W.W. Ng, Limin Zhang and Dora, C.N. (2001). Response of Laterally Loaded Large-Diameter Bored Pile Groups, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 127 (8), pp. 658669. Davisson, M.T. and Gill, H.L. (1963). Laterally Loaded Pile in Layered Soil System, Journal of Soil Mech. and Foundation Engg. ASCE, Vol. 89 (3), pp. 6394. George Mylonakis and George Gazetas (1999). Lateral Vibration and Internal Forces of Grouped Piles in Layered Soil, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 125 (1), pp. 1625. Muttharam, M. and Ilamparuthi, K. (2005). Lateral Load Behavior of Pile and Pile Groups Founded in Soft Clay, Indian Geotechnical Conference, pp. 1922. Zhang, L. Ernst, H. and Einstein, H.H. (2000). Nonlinear Analysis of Laterally Loaded Rock-Socketed Shafts, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 126 (11), pp. 955968.

The data presented in Table 2 brings out that for the uniform thickness of clay layer, the ultimate load carrying capacity again increases with increase in length of the pile and consistency of clay bed. It is also observed that the thickness of clay layer plays major role in governing the lateral capacity of pile compared to the other parameters like consistency and length of the pile. The increase in lateral capacity with increase in pile length for the constant thickness of clay bed is attributed to the fact that as the remaining length of the pile beyond the clay layer is founded in sand layer which offer higher passive resistance against lateral pull thus lead to the higher lateral pile capacity. 5. CONCLUSIONS The following conclusions may be drawn from this study, Experimental results of pile subjected to lateral load, showed that the ultimate lateral load increases almost

708