SINGLE PILES UNDER LATERAL LOADING
301
Solutions Using Nondimensional Parameters
An itérative procedure using nondimensional coefficients is recommended for
solving équation (11.5) for cases where there is no axial load and where the pile
stiffness is constant (see Reese and Van Impe, 2001, p.35). A brief description of
the solution procedure is given below for three sets of boundary conditions at the
top of the pile: (1) pile head free to rotate, (2) pile head fixed against rotation,
and (3) pile head restrained against rotation. These boundary conditions, along
with the sign convention used in the following solutions, are shown in Figure
11.6. In these solutions, the reaction modulus for the soil is referenced to the
ground or mudline surface by the Symbol z\ however, the Symbol x is used here
because the origin for the nondimensional solutions is the same for the ground
surface and the top of the pile.
Case I: Pile head
free to rotate
Case II: Pile head
fixed against
rotation
Case IIP Pile head
restricted against
rotation
Figure 11.6
(a) Sign conventions; (b) boundary conditions.
Case I:
Pile Head Free to Rotate
1. Construct p-y curves at varions depths by procedures recommended ear
lier in this chapter. The chosen spacing between p-y curves should be closer
near the ground surface than it is near the bottom of the pile.
2.
Assume a numerical value for T, the relative stiffness factor, defined y
\KPV /