Influence of Vertical Loads on the Response of Laterally Loaded Piles In Medium Stiff Clay

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of vertical loads on laterally loaded piles. It includes laboratory
model tests of steel piles embedded in medium stiff clay and a parametric study. The laboratory tests were
performed at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Khartoum in Sudan. The parametric study considers the
effects of different values of the vertical load and the length–to-diameter (L/d) ratio of the pile on the pile
behavior. The performance of pile considered will include the ultimate lateral capacity of pile, the pile head
deflection, load-maximum moment curves and the shear force along the length of the pile.