Experimental load-transfer curves of laterally loaded piles in Nak-Dong River sand

This paper describes the results of a model testing of the piles embedded in Nak-Dong River sand, located in south Korea, under monotonic lateral loadings. A number of features were studied, including the lateral resistance of piles, the effect of the installation method, and the pile head restraint condition. The study has led to recommendations of the load-transfer curves (p-y curves) for laterally loaded piles. Modification factors were developed to allow for both a different pile installation method and different pile head restraint conditions by comparison to existing model load tests. The proposed p-y curves were compared to the existing curves and were evaluated with the experimental data. The ultimate lateral soil resistance and subgrade modulus were investigated and discussed. It is revealed that the proposed p-y curves show significant differences in shapes and magnitudes when compared with existing p-y curve models. The accuracy of the proposed p-y curve model, considering the effect of installation method and pile head restraint condition, is very reasonable as shown by comparing measured and predicted lateral behavior of the pile.