A Simplified Calculation Method for Cyclic Response of Laterally Loaded Piles Based on Strain Wedge Model in Soft Clay

Abstract

This paper proposed a simplified calculation method to analyze the cyclic response of large-diameter single piles based on the modified strain wedge model. Firstly, the pile–soft clay interaction above the pile-rotating point is represented by a p–y curve, and the pile–soft clay interaction below the rotating point is represented by an equivalent rotation spring. At the same time, a stiffness attenuation model is proposed to describe the cyclic p–y curve for analyzing the cyclic bearing characteristics of soft clay. Finally, the simplified calculation method is verified by two case studies. The results from the proposed method agree reasonably well with the measured results. This can provide a new method for analyzing the horizontal cyclic bearing characteristics of piles.

Keywords

• pile
• strain wedge model
• cyclic <i>p–y</i> curve
• strain accumulation model
• soft clay