A comparison of numerical methods for predicting laterally loaded single pile response
Description
In the analysis of piles supporting offshore structures under lateral loading conditions, the key element is predicting the lateral load-deformation relationship (P-Y curves) for the soil. The present practice of constructing P-Y curves is based on the results of lateral load tests on instrumented piles and strength-deformation characteristics of the soil The research described in this paper was sponsored by Texaco U.S.A. It narrates a procedure for estimating the uncertainties in the computed deflections and bending moments in a pile subjected to lateral loads. In this procedure, the uncertainties in the soil properties and soil response are first estimated; then, employing the finite difference equations governing the pile behavior, estimates are made of the uncertainties in the computed curves which describe the lateral behavior of the pile The investigation utilizes three different computer programs: STRUDL, COM624, and BMCOL76. Since the present version of the INTRA program is not configured properly for the Texaco CDC computer, it is not included in this report Five example studies are presented in which an instrumented pile is embedded in different types of soil and subjected to static and cyclic loading. A study was carried out to compare the results from the three different computer programs to the instrumented pile test data Using the COM624 program results as the base case, the results from the other two programs are compared and evaluated Two special problems, mudslide and pile groups, are discussed based on an engineering approach