Investigating the Influence of Combined Loads on Pile Behavior and Structural Response

Piles experience a combination of vertical and lateral loads within stratified sand and clay soil settings. The existing body of experimental research specifically focused on embedded piles in layered cohesionless soil under combined loads is limited. This article presents the findings of experimental investigations conducted on laterally loaded piles, driven with varying energy levels, within different conditions of vertical loading in layered sandy soil at diverse densities. The analysis primarily focused on examining the bending moment and strain along the driven aluminum model pile to assess the load deflection response. The results of the study indicate that the lateral deflection tends to decrease with an increase in driving energy within a single layer of sandy soil. This phenomenon can be attributed to the compaction of the surrounding ground and the consequent rise in effective horizontal soil stress during the pile driving process. The comprehensive combined load tests revealed that the presence of vertical loads significantly amplifies the bending moments and lateral deflection of the pile head. This highlights the complex interplay between different load types and soil characteristics, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the behavior of piles under such combined loading conditions.