How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
(OP)
In general, how much does vertical load (compression or tension) affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
It seems like whenever I get the geotechnical engineer to run an L-PILE analysis for me, the vertical load doesn't seem to be that consequential.
It seems like whenever I get the geotechnical engineer to run an L-PILE analysis for me, the vertical load doesn't seem to be that consequential.





RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
I think you are still talking about the geotechnical capacity of the pile, while Ron was just noting that the structural capacity of the pile shaft itself can in some instances control. The OP asked for an answer "in general", but the answer is "it depends".
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
FixedEarth...check a little deeper in Hetenyi....His equations apply to a beam on an elastic foundation, and he does consider axial compression in one series of equations (which you will notice, significantly changes his influence line); however, his equations do not touch on column theory at all and a pile acts as a column in many instances.
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
For laterally loaded piles/piers, If you look at Bowles '74 (Analytical & Computer Methods in Foundation Engineering) and R.F. Scott's '81 (Foundation Analysis), Reese & Van Impe 2011 (Piles and Pile Groups under Lateral loading), they all took the Beam on Elastic Foundation equations and say we can apply layering with depth. I wouldn't argue with Bowles, Scott and Reese.
Ron- I think we answered the original question that a vertical load does not have any influence on the lateral capacity of the pile. Hokie66, there is no "it depends", the answer is no relation between vertical load and lateral capacity.
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
Ok thanks. That is what I thought. However, sometimes the geotechnical engineer requests the corresponding vertical load on the pile or shaft. So, it got me thinking.
I will keep that in mind. Thanks!
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
A soils guy may ask for vertical load for one of three reasons:
1- To check that individual pier/pile settlement is less than 1/3 inch for example and then see if differential settlement over two adjacent piers/piles are acceptable (L/480).
2- To check the required embedment depth for a vertical and uplift load or
3- To check that required embedment for a combination of lateral/moment is not under that for axial loads.
For example, a 15 ft embedment may be needed for a 35 kip axial load but only 11 ft and 18" pier diameter may be needed for lateral deflection of 0.3 inch. Here is a current guide to drilled shafts:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/engineering/geotech/foundations/100521.cfm
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
Dik
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
Dik
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
RE: How much does vertical load affect the lateral load capacity of piles?
Haha, yes. I'm definitely aware of all the structural failure modes. I should have clarified that I was really asking about the effect of the geotechnical capacity.