Analysis of Pile Foundation Subjected to

Lateral and Vertical Loads

INTRIDUCTION

When a soil of low bearing capacity extends to a considerable depth, piles are generally used
to transmit vertical and lateral loads to the surrounding soil media. Piles that are used under
tall chimneys, television towers, high rise buildings, high retaining walls, offshore structures,
etc. are normally subjected to high lateral loads. These piles or pile groups should resist not
only vertical movements but also lateral movements. The requirements for a satisfactory
foundation are,

1. The vertical settlement or the horizontal movement should not exceed an acceptable
Maximum value,

2. There must not be failure by yield of the surrounding soil or the pile material. Vertical
piles are used in foundations to take normally vertical loads and small lateral loads. In the
case of foundations of bridges, transmission towers, offshore structures and for other type
of huge structures, piles are also subjected to lateral loads. Extensive theoretical and
experimental investigation has been conducted on single vertical piles subjected to lateral
loads by many investigators. Generalized solutions for laterally loaded vertical piles are given
by Matlock and Reese (1960). The effect of vertical loads in addition to lateral loads has
been evaluated by Davisson (1960) in terms of non-dimensional parameters. Brom’s (1964a,
1964b) and Poulos and Davis (1980) have given different approaches for solving laterally
loaded pile problems. Brom's method is ingenious and is based primarily on the use of
limiting values of soil resistance. The method of Poulos and Davis is based on the theory of
elasticity. The finite difference method of solving the differential equation for a laterally
loaded pile is very much in use where computer facilities are available. Matlock (1970) have
developed the concept of (p-y) curves for solving laterally loaded pile problems.

Many numerical techniques such as Finite Difference Method, Variational Method Boundary
Element Method Finite Element Method are being used for the engineering analysis of Piles.
Finite Element Method itself as a powerful numerical technique, especially for Geotechnical
Engineering problems complicated geometrical behaviour and boundary conditions. Using
Finite element these problems can be solved easily.
II. GENERAL SOLUTIONS FOR VERTICAL PILES
1) Differential Equations of Elastic Curves for Vertical Piles Subjected To Lateral Loads

The standard differential equations for slope, moment, shear and soil reaction for a beam on an elastic foundation
are equally applicable to laterally loaded piles.

The relationships between y, slope, moment, shear and soil reaction at any point on the Pile is

where El is the flexural rigidity of the pile material.

The soil reaction p at any point at a distance x along the axis of the pile may be expressed as

p = -Esy eqn 3.5 where “y” is the deflection at point x, and Es is the soil modulus. Eqs (3.4) and (3.5) when
combined gives :

which is called the differential equation for the elastic curve with zero axial load.
2) Non-Dimensional Solutions for Vertical Piles Subjected To Lateral Loads
Matlock and Reese (1960) have given equations for the determination of y, S, M, V, and p at any point x
along the pile based on dimensional analysis. The equations are

where T is the relative stiffness factor expressed as

Z = x/ T eqn (3.14)

III. VERTICAL LOAD ANALYSIS OF PILES

1) Vertical Load Analysis Of Piles By P-Y Curves
Load Transfer Mechanism
When the ultimate load applied on the top of the pile is Qu, a part of the load is transmitted to the soil
along the length of the pile and the balance is transmitted to the pile base. The load transmitted to the
soil along the length of the pile is called the ultimate friction load or skin load Qf and that transmitted
to the base is called the base or point load Qb. The total ultimate load Qu is expressed as the sum of
these two, that is,
Ultimate Load Bearing Capacity
Qu = Qb + Qf=qbAb+fsAS -- (1)
Where Qu = ultimate load applied on the top of the pile
qb = ultimate unit bearing capacity of the pile at the base
Ab = bearing area of the base of the pile
As = total surface area of pile embedded below ground surface
fs - unit skin friction (ultimate)
Allowable Load Bearing Capacity
A safety factor of 2.5 is normally used.
Qb + 𝑄𝑄𝑓𝑓
Therefore we may write Qa =
2.5
e where the values of Qb and Q. can be ed independently, the allowable load can be as
Q 𝑄𝑄
Qa = b + 𝑓𝑓
3 1.5

General Theory For Ultimate Bearing Capacity According To Vesic (1967)

According to Vesic (1967)
The total failure load Qu may be written as follows
Qu = Qu + Wp = Qb + Q f + Wp Eq (4)
Where Qu = load at failure applied to the pile
Qb = base resistance
Qf = shaft resistance Wp = weight of the pile.

The general equation for the base resistance may be written as

Eq (5)
where d = width or diameter of the shaft at base level
q' 0 = effective overburden pressure at the base level of the pile
Ab = base area of pile
c = cohesion of soil
γ = effective unit weight of soil
Nc, Nq, Nγ = bearing capacity factors which take into account the shape factor
Cohesion less Soils
For cohesion less soils, c = 0 and the term 1I2ydNy becomes
insignificant in comparison with the term qoNq for deep foundations.
Therefore Eq. (5) reduces to
Qb = q~NqAb = qbAb Eq (6)
Eq. (15.4) may now be written as
Qb = Qu + Wp = q~NqAb + Wp +Qf Eq (7)
The net ultimate load in excess of the overburden pressure load qoAb is

Eq (8)

If we assume, for all practical purposes, Wp and q'oAb are roughly equal for straight side or

moderately tapered piles. Eq. (8) reduces to

Where As= surface area of the embedded length of the pile

q'o = average effective overburden pressure over the embedded depth of the pile

Ks= average lateral earth pressure coefficient

γ= angle of wall friction.
Cohesive Soils
For cohesive soils such as saturated clays (normally consolidated), we have for </> = 0, N - 1 and N= 0.
The ultimate base load from Eq. (5) is

α = adhesion factor
cu = average undrained shear strength of clay
along the shaft
cb = undrained shear strength of clay at the base level
NC = bearing capacity factor

Vertical Load Bearing Capacity Of Pile Calculations:

From analysis of structure, it is found that maximum axial load in working condition is 2932kN. Pile
capacity is checked for above value of axial load required to be transmitted. Bearing capacity of piles is
calculated as per procedure given in Appendix B IS: 2911-1979 part 1/section- II
Ultimate Skin Resistance
Qs = (α*C + K*Pdi*tanδ)*Asi
Ultimate End Bearing Capacity
Qb = (Cp*Nc + Pd*Nq + 0.5*γ*B*Nγ)*Ap
Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Soil
Qu = Qs + Qb-W
Where,
α = reduction factor,
C = average cohesion throughout layer,
K = coefficient of earth pressure,
Pdi = effective over burden pressure for ith layer,
δ = angle of wall friction between soil and pile,
Asi = surface area of pile for ith layer,
Cp = cohesion at the base of pile,
B = diameter of pile,
Ap = area of pile tip,
W = weight of pile,
γ = effective unit weight of soil,
Nc, Nq, Nγ = bearing capacity factors as per IS: 2911-1979 part 1/sec 2
Calculation Of Skin frictional resistance: Skin frictional resistance, Qsf3 = 1131 kN
Layer 1: Layer 3:
Layer thickness = 6.53 m Layer thickness = 3 m, γ = 0 kN/m2
γsub = 7.75 kN/m3, C = 150 kN/m2 Angle of internal friction = 35 deg
Angle of internal friction = 0 deg SPT ‘N’ value = 50
SPT ‘N’ value = 38 Surface area = 9.425 m2
Level of water table = (+) 5.10 m Reduction factor = 0.3
Length of pile above bed level = 11.245 m Wall friction between soil and pile = 35 deg
Critical depth = 20 times dia. Co-efficient of earth pressure = 2
Factor of safety = 2.5 Avg. over burden pressure = 23.25 kN/m2
Surface area = 20.518 m2 Design over burden pressure = 155 kN/m2
Reduction factor = 0.3 Skin frictional resistance, Qsf4 = 2045.8 kN
Wall friction between soil and pile = 0 deg Total Skin Frictional Resistance, Qsf = 4778.5
Co-efficient of earth pressure = 2 kN
Avg. over burden pressure = 50.6075 kN/m2 End Bearing Resistance:
Design over burden pressure = 50.6075 kN/m2 Layer 4:
Skin frictional resistance, Qsf1= 923 kN Angle of internal friction = 35 deg
Layer 2: Pile tip area = 0.7853 m2
Layer thickness = 9 m Nq = 50, Nγ = 48
γ = 7.75 kN/m3, C = 80 kN/m2 Design over burden pressure = 155 kN/m2
Angle of internal friction = 0 deg End bearing resistance at pile tip, Qb = 4241 kN
SPT ‘N’ value = 26 Weight of Pile:
Surface area = 28.274 m2 Weight of pile above scour level Wp1 = 220.893
Reduction factor = 0.3 kN
Wall friction between soil and pile = 0 deg Weight of pile below scour level Wp2 = 301.548
Co-efficient of earth pressure = 1 kN
Avg. over burden pressure = 69.75 kN/m2 Total ultimate resistance of pile
Design over burden pressure = 120.3575 kN/m2 Qsf + Qb – Wp2 = 8717.452 kN
Allowable load (8717.452 / F.S.) – Wp1 = 3266
kN.
From above calculations,
Required depth =26.03m below design seabed
level
E.G.L. = (+) 1.15 m CD
IV. LATERALLY LOADED ANALYSIS OF Now, we know that immediate (elastic)
PILE settlement,
1) Laterally Loaded Analysis By Using Subgrade
Reaction Using Vesics Method:
A pile may be subjected to transverse force from a
number of causes, such as wind, earthquake,
water current, water waves, earth pressure, effect Where qo= foundation pressure
of moving vehicles or ships, plant and equipment, B = width of foundation
etc. μ = Poisson’s ratio
The lateral load carrying capacity of a single pile If = influence factor
depends not only on the horizontal subgrade
modulus of the surrounding soil but also on the
structural strength of the pile shaft against
bending consequent upon application of a lateral
load. While considering lateral load on piles,
effect of other coexistent loads including the axial
load on the pile should be taken into consideration But we know ks = ratio of soil pressure to deflection
for checking the structural capacity of the shaft.
There are various methods available for analysis
of laterally loaded piles such as Equivalent Fixity
Depth Approach As per IS: 2911-1979, Subgrade
Modulus Approach (FEM or Matrix method),
But since one does not often have values of Es,
Closed Form Solution, Non dimensional Method,
other approximations are useful and quite
p-y Curve Method, Brom’s Method, Vesic’s
satisfactory if the computed deflection is reasonable.
Method etc.
It has been found that bending moments and
A horizontal load on a vertical pile is transmitted
computed soil pressure are not very sensitive to
to the subsoil primarily by horizontal subgrade
what is used for ‘Ks’ because the structural member
reaction generated in the upper part of the shaft. A
stiffness is usually 10 or more as great as soil
single pile is normally designed to carry load
stiffness as defined by ‘Ks’.
along its axis. Transverse load bearing capacity of
Vesic has suggested the following for
a single pile depends on the soil reaction
developed and the structural capacity of the shaft approximating ‘Ks’ from the allowable bearing
under bending. capacity qa based on geotechnical data:
In case the horizontal loads are of higher
magnitude, it is essential to investigate the
phenomena using principles of horizontal subsoil
reaction adopting appropriate values for
Where, qa is in kPa. This equation is based on
horizontal modulus of the soil. In this study, piles
are analyzed using modulus of subgrade reaction assumption that ultimate soil pressure occurs at a
and lateral resistance offered by soil is modeled settlement of 0.0254 m. For other values of ΔH = 6,
by providing springs having stiffness derived 12, 20 mm etc., the factor 40 can be adjusted to
using modulus of subgrade reaction. The modulus 160, 83, 50 etc. 40 is reasonably conservative but
of subgrade reaction is seldom measured in lateral smaller assumed displacement can always be used.
pile load test. Node values of “Ks” are required in The most general form for either horizontal or
FEM solution for lateral piles.
lateral modulus of subgrade reaction is,
However in absence of test results, this value
may be approximated as per procedure given KS = AS + BS Zn
below: As per Vesic (1961), modulus of subgrade
reaction can be computed using stress-strain A s = constant for either horizontal or vertical
modulus Es based on as, members
Bs = coefficient based on depth variation
Z = depth of interest below ground
n = exponent to give ks the best fit.
We know that ultimate bearing capacity is given
by,
Where Es, Ef = modulus of soil and footing
respectively, in consistent units B, If = footing
width and its moment of inertia based on cross
section in consistent units Observing that,
Ks
One can obtain ks from ks’ as, Ks =
B
Since the twelfth root of any value multiplied by
0.65 will be close to 1, for practical purposes the The C factor is 40 for SI units and 12 for FPS, using
Vesic’s equation reduces to, the same reasoning that qult occurs at a
0.0254-m and 1-in. settlement but with no SF, since
this equation directly gives qult .