ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Page Count: 9

Design of Laterally Loaded Driven Piles Using the Flat Dilatometer

Robertson, PK
Professor, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Davies, MP
Geotechnical engineer, Geopacific Consultants Ltd., Burnaby, British Columbia

Campanella, RG
Professor, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

Abstract

The nonlinear subgrade reaction method (P-y curves) is widely used for the design of laterally loaded piles. This method replaces the soil reaction with a series of independent nonlinear Winkler springs.

A preliminary semi-empirical approach for the determination of P-y curves using data obtained from a flat dilatometer test (DMT) is presented and evaluated. A brief description of the equipment, testing procedures, and the theory that enables the family of P-y curves to be determined are presented. The P-y curves are used as input for an existing finite-difference program, which calculates pile deflection versus depth at various lateral loads.

An evaluation of the proposed method is presented using data from three full-scale laterally loaded test piles. A comparison and discussion are provided between the predicted and measured behavior of the piles during lateral loading.

Keywords:
flat dilatometer, piles, lateral loading, P-y curves, predictions, field test behavior

Paper ID: GTJ10671J
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ10671J
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