Field and Numerical Analysis of Cyclic Displacement Controlled Lateral Load Tests on Driven Piles in a Residual Soil.

This paper aims to complement current knowledge about performance of deep foundations in residual soils by presenting the results of a new experimental field-testing program on steel driven piles (with hollow circular and square cross sections) subjected to cyclic lateral loading at controlled displacement amplitudes. The results show that the maximum mobilized lateral load (at the maximum applied displacement) decreases with the number of cycles to reach a constant final value maintained up to 100 cycles. The amount of load degradation is dependent on the displacement amplitude of the cyclic loading. It is also observed that the ultimate lateral load pile capacity is unaffected (if not slightly enhanced) by the application of cyclic loading. Combined 3-D finite element and pile test analysis revealed that the progressive degradation of maximum mobilized cyclic loading can be related to the progressive plastic displacement accumulation and not only to cement bonding degradation of the residual soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]