Model tests on elevated piles subjected to lateral static and impact loading

A series of model tests at 1<>g are carried out to study behaviors of elevated piles subjected to both lateral static and impact loading. The horizontal static and impact loading, deflection, horizontal dynamic response, static and dynamic bending moments of the pile shaft as well as the static and dynamic soil pressures on the pile shaft are measured. It is found that the characteristics of static soil reaction to the pile shaft deduced from the bending moment of the pile shaft consistent with those of the measured static soil pressure on the pile shaft. For the pile subjected to the lateral impact loading, the dynamic soil reaction to the pile shaft is heavily related to the time-history of impact loading. Associated with the analysis by Winkler linear models as well as the static and dynamic <>p – <> y curve models, the characteristics of pile-soil static and dynamic interaction and its effects on bending moment and deflection of the pile shaft are investigated. The numerical results of the above models are compared with the test results, based on which the complex stiffness dynamic <>p – <> y curve model is recommended for the analysis of elevated piles subjected to the lateral impact loading. Its analytic results are in good agreement with the test results of the dynamic responses and bending moment of the pile shaft, and the model is used for the anti-collision analysis of an in-situ elevated pile.