Experimental and numerical analysis of laterally loaded piles

The main purpose of this study was to research and assess lateral loads affecting tubular steel piles, that are frequently used in the construction of coastal structures. Following the ASTM D 3966 standard, the "displacement-time" and "load-displacement" curves obtained as a result of the lateral loads applied to installed test piles at the construction site are modeled in PLAXIS 3D. A model of the specific conditions in the construction site has also been created in finite elements. With this information, parametric studies have been carried out using the model matching the conditions at the construction site. Within the scope of parametric studies, the displacements were compared by changing the diameter, pile wall thickness, load effect height, and embedded length of the tubular steel pile. As a result, it has been observed that there is an inverse proportional relationship between the pile wall thickness and the lateral displacement at the top of the pile. Furthermore, there is also a similar inverse relationship between the pile diameter and lateral displacement. Conversely, there is a direct proportionality between the length of the lateral load arm and the lateral displacement at the top of the pile. It was concluded that pile embedment length had no effect on lateral displacement at the top of the pile.