A new model for the analysis of laterally loaded piles

The current research intends to develop a model which is very simple and easy to obtain results for various kinds of foundation problems. A new approach is used here to develop the model. The finite difference method and Hermitian polynomials to develop the system equations in this model. Then the model is solved on a computer to obtain various data which can be used for load deflection prediction for a given kind of soil problem. One of the main features of this method is that it can very easily solve the case of a stratified soil. Most of the models developed by researchers earlier use empirical methods to consider the case of a stratified soil. However, this research does not intend to consider the case of material nonlinearity of the soil.

The results of the new variational model will be compared with those of the methods mentioned above, especially those of Poulos and a new axisymmetric finite element solution developed in this research. The finite element technique will be discussed later in this dissertation. This finite element program was developed by the author for the purpose of this research.

Also, one of the major contributions of the finite element method in this research is to develop a coefficient of soil resistance for the Winkler's model that will produce approximately a result equivalent to that of the finite element model. Here the soil is assumed to be homogeneous and semi-infinite with a value of Young's modulus of elasticity and Poisson's ratio. The results are presented using non-dimensional parameters, whereby knowing the values of £, v of the soil and Ep, Ip and I ofthe pile, the value of the k representing the modulus of subgrade reaction of the soil can be calculated. This technique will be discussed in a subsequent chapter in detail.