Investigation of a cyclic laterally loaded model pile group

• Published in: Soil dynamics and earthquake engineering (1984) Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. 519 - 523
• Main Authors: Moss, Robb Eric S., Caliendo, Joseph A., Anderson, Loren R.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.10.1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Engineering geology; Exact sciences and technology; lateral loads; model tests; pile groups; pile tests; model tests; lateral loads; pile groups; pile tests; structure soil interaction; load tests; models; buildings; foundations; piles; Clay soils; lateral load; soils; earthquakes
• ISSN: 0267-7261; 1879-341X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0267-7261(98)00003-7

In certain regions of the world, designing deep foundations to withstand seismic loading is a reality. Seismic loading of structures and foundations reaches its most critical state as a cyclic lateral force. The response of soils and foundations to repetitive lateral forces is highly complex, relegating most design methods to be based upon overly conservative rules-of-thumb. The primary objective of this research was to analyze the mechanics of seismic loading on pile groups in clay soils. To achieve this a model testing facility was constructed to house a fully instrumented 1×5 model pile group that was subjected to cyclic lateral loading. An empirically based method for pile group design is suggested based upon the results generated from model pile group testing.