Load transfer approach for laterally loaded piles

A two-parameter model has been proposed previously for predicting the respo nse of laterally loaded single piles in homogenous soil. A disadvantage of the model is that at high Poisson's ratio, unreliable results may be obtain ed. In this paper, a new load transfer approach is developed to simulate th e response of laterally loaded single piles embedded in a homogeneous mediu m, by introducing a rational stress field. The approach can overcome the in herent disadvantage of the two-parameter model, although developed in a sim ilar way. Generalized solutions for a single pile and the surrounding soil under various pile-head and base conditions were established and presented in compact forms. With the solutions, a load transfer factor, correlating t he displacements of the pile and the soil, was estimated and expressed as a simple equation. Expressions were developed for the modulus of subgrade re action for a Winkler model as a unique function of the load transfer factor . Simple expressions were developed for estimating critical pile length, ma ximum bending moment, and the depth at which the maximum moment occurs. All the newly established solutions and/or expressions, using the load transfe r factor, offer satisfactory predictions in comparison with the available, more rigorous numerical approaches. The current solutions are applicable to various boundary conditions, and any pile-soil relative stiffness. Copyrig ht (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.