Plastic analysis of a laterally loaded fixed head vertical pile shaft embedded in cohesive soil

Abstract

Flexural behaviour of a laterally loaded fixed head pile shaft depends essentially on the relative stiffness of the pile, soil modulus variation of the surrounding soil and degree of fixity of the pile at the top. For cases where large transient or permanent horizontal loads and bending moment have to be resisted or where very soft soil occurs, pile-soil system yields causing large lateral displacements. This paper presents plastic analysis of a vertical pile with fixed head subjected to lateral load and bending moment and embedded in cohesive soil. For given lateral load and bending moment at the tip of the pile and resulting soil pressure distribution along the length of the pile, three cases have been studied. With increasing lateral loads and moments, the plastic hinge at the location of maximum moment will form in the pile. Parametric results have been presented and discussed. Charts have been prepared to find the length of the pile required for ultimate lateral load and bending moment.