Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
(OP)
I am using API RP-2A WSD to find some PU curves to be used for the design of some laterally loaded piles. In the upper part I had to use the formulas for shallow depth, but the upper part is layered with friction angels in the upper layer (6m) of 41 degrees and then a layer of 5 m with 27 degrees. Is there a method where I can calculate PU-curves based on layered soils?





RE: Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
Are these anything like p-y curves?
If so, the p-y method allows soil layers.
I suggest you contact the geotechnical engineer of record for guidance on how to proceed, or ask them to evaluate the lateral capacity/deflection performance of your piled foundation.
Jeff
RE: Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
It is the same as p-y curves. It is easy to calculate the p-y curves when you are below the transition dept where the figure of rupture is a closed form around the pile but at the upper part the figure is a wedge moved to the surface and I can not find any method to calculate p-y curves for the pile-part in this area if the soil is not uniform.
Br
Torben
RE: Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
Unless the calculated displacements are large, or the embedment of the pile is relatively shallow, I would think that it probably doesn't make a great deal of difference which approach is used.
Note that there is a missing figure in the LPile Tech. manual that may help to explain where the cutoff is for cohesive soils.
Certainly, I would hope that the software would account for the relative pile geometry and at least output a warning if the results were suspect in some way. I will have to follow up with Ensoft on that one.
Regards,
Jeff
RE: Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve
RE: Laterally loaded piles in layered sand - PU curve