Abstract

One common software program developed for analyzing single laterally loaded piles is called LPILE. Soil properties are required as input into LPILE. For sands, the soil properties required are effective soil unit weight, γ’; subgrade modulus, k; and the internal friction angle, ϕ’. There are two commonly used methods to obtain ϕ’ and subsequently k: the API method and Bolton method. Fourteen different pile test sites were used in the analysis of the API and Bolton methods to obtain soil strength properties in sands for laterally loaded single pile tests. Between the fourteen pile test sites, a total of 26 piles were tested in the field and analyzed in LPILE using the API method and Bolton method to calculate the soil strength properties of the sands. After each pile test was analyzed in LPILE and compared to the field measured results, the two methods were compared graphically and percent errors were calculated between each method and the measured results to determine the optimal method in single laterally loaded pile design. Using the Bolton method to determine the soil strength properties gives more accurate load-deflection values with respect to measured values from field tests. The Bolton method accounts for dilation and the type of sand as well as the relative density and the mean effective stress of the soil. This leads to soil strength properties more characteristic of the soil at the site.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2023-12-18

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd13080

Keywords

Bolton, API, LPILE, lateral load, piles, sand

Language

english

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