What is the difference between point of virtual fixity and critical length of lateral loading ...

Page 1 of 5

Roadside Design Guide

www.bookstore.transportation.org What is the difference
AASHTO Roadside Design Guides Save--Buy
direct from AASHTO between point of
TX Slab Design Engineer
www.txfoundations.com virtual fixity and
More Experience. Less Money. Foundation
Designs in 4 Days critical length of
Honesty Foundation Repair
www.honestyfoundation.com lateral loading for
Foundation Repair - House Leveling Free
Estimates - A+ Rated BBB piles?
Civil Engineering
www.CMISheetpiling.com
Posted in Piles Engineering | Email This Post
Trusted Solutions for Vinyl Sheet Piling. Use the
Best, Build it Once
Some engineers may get confused about the
difference between the two terms i.e. point of virtual fixity and critical length used for piles for
resisting lateral loads. For critical length of lateral loading for piles, it refers to a certain depth from
the ground level where the piles behave as if it were infinitely long. As such, beyond the critical
length, the change in lateral response of piles with increase in pile length will be negligible.

Point of virtual fixity refers to a certain dept below ground surface where the piles are fixed without
movement under loads. The depth to the point of fixity is useful in assessing the buckling loads of
piles. It is obvious that the depth to the point of virtual fixity should be smaller than the critical length
of piles.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of
Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

More Entries :
• Is critical depth of piles a fallacy?
• In seismic liquefaction, what is the difference of pile failures mechanism between lateral
spreading and buckling?
• What is the difference between capping beams and ground beams for piles?
• How do fixed and pinned connections between piles and pile caps affect the load carrying
capacity of piles?
• Why are sleeves often installed inside the lower part of open-ended driven piles?
• Why is sleeving applied in piles constructed on slopes?
• For marine pile type of steel tubular piles with reinforced concrete infill, minimum toe level is
often specified in contract drawings. What is its purpose?
• It is not necessary to design nominal reinforcement to piles. Is it true?

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-is-the-difference-between-point-of-virtual-fixity-a... 12/13/2012
What is the difference between point of virtual fixity and critical length of lateral loading ... Page 2 of 5

• Post a comment
Storage Bldg Clearance
Name
SteelMasterUSA.com/Clearance
Email Huge Clearance Building Blowout 70%
Off Select Models & Sizes!
Website Do you have a bad boss?
actonmba.org/smarterthanyourboss
Are you better than your boss? Find out
how Acton MBA can help
Post your comment Earthquake Engineering
www.abbae.com/structural.html
Share Information Architectural engineering firm. Seismic
joint design experts.
• Submit Content
• Ask An Expert

What is Civil Engineering

• Civil Engineering Home
• Civil Engineering Disciplines
• Civil Engineering History

Journals Books And Softwares

• Free Civil Engineering Magazines and White Papers
• Civil Engineering Books
• Civil Engineering Journals
• Civil Engineering Softwares

Branches Of Civil Engineering

• Building
• Bridge Engineering
• Concrete Engineering
• Highway Engineering
• Hydraulics
• Marine Engineering
• Piles Engineering
• Prestress Engineering
• Soil Engineering
• Steelworks
• Surveying
• Timber Engineering

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-is-the-difference-between-point-of-virtual-fixity-a... 12/13/2012
What is the difference between point of virtual fixity and critical length of lateral loading ... Page 3 of 5

Civil Engineering Jobs

• Civil Engineering Jobs

Knowledge Center
• Construction Equipments
• Civil Engineering Disasters
• Civil Engineering Events
• Civil Engineering Facts
• Civil Engineering Information
• Civil Engineering Notes From Universities
• Civil Engineering Presentations
• Civil Engineering Quotes
• Civil Engineering Videos
• Civil Engineering Wonders
• Construction Terms
• Famous Civil Engineers
• Interviews
• Material and Site Testing
• Measurement Units
• Mix Design
• Project Reports
• Research Papers
• Student Corner
• Help Others

Civil Engineering Universities/Events

• Civil Engineering Universities
• METE 2013
• TTUS 2013
• Advertise Your Event Here

Gallery - Civil Engineering Pictures

• Bridges
• Civil Engineers And Workers
• Construction Equipments
• Construction Site
• Roads And Highways
• Skyscrapers

Search
Search

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-is-the-difference-between-point-of-virtual-fixity-a... 12/13/2012
What is the difference between point of virtual fixity and critical length of lateral loading ... Page 4 of 5

Author
• The Best Creator Next To God Is A Civil Engineer.

Top Contributors
• You can list yourself here by submitting civil engineering related topics to us.
• Er. Harpal Aujla
• Er. Raj M. Khan
• Er. Vikrant
• Ramasesh Iyer
• Er. Kaushal Kishore
• Vincent T. H. CHU

Yahoo Group - Civil Engineering Portal

Subscribe to EngineeringCivil.com Enter email address

Powered by groups.yahoo.com

Recently Added
• Usage of LightWeight Concrete in the Construction of Pre-fabricated Structures
• Working at height is commonly defined in many countries as falling more than 2m. Why?
• How does safety helmet function?
• What is the difference between sureties and security?
• Should design life be the same as return period for design conditions?
• Is the procurement of third party insurance necessary to be incorporated in contract for
construction works?
• If the contractor is liable for defective works for 12 years with contract under seal (6 years with
contract not under seal), then what is the significance of Maintenance Period?
• What are the functions of different components of paint?
• What is the difference between working stress approach and limit state approach?
• Why are voids filled with lightweight infilling material in raft foundation of pumping stations?
• List of Projects Related to Soil Engineering
• List of Projects Related to Transportation Highway and Bridges
• List of Projects Related to Environmental Engineering
• List of Projects Related to Hydraulics
• Given a 1m high staircase resting on solid concrete, would it be adequate to design nominal
reinforcement for the staircase?

Civil Engineering Links

• Gemini Geek

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-is-the-difference-between-point-of-virtual-fixity-a... 12/13/2012
What is the difference between point of virtual fixity and critical length of lateral loading ... Page 5 of 5

• The Bigger
• Civil Engr. Software Database
• Impressive Buildings
• Civil Engineering Links

Spread the Word

• delicious
• digg
• technorati
• reddit
• magnolia
• stumbleupon
• yahoo
• google

About Us | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Copyright Policy | Privacy Policy | Testimonials

All Rights Reserved:2007-2012 |

http://www.engineeringcivil.com/what-is-the-difference-between-point-of-virtual-fixity-a... 12/13/2012