Experimental Investigation on Behavior of a Laterally Loaded Single Pile Located on Sloping Ground

Laboratory model tests were conducted on an aluminum model pile embedded on a crest of soft clay. The slope angle and L/D ratio (L = embedded length, D = diameter of pile) were varied, and the pile was subjected to lateral loads at the pile head by a loading frame and frictionless pulley arrangements. Through the experimental investigation, the effect of the L/D ratio and slope on the behavior of the pile was studied. To incorporate the effect of slopes and L/D ratios, an empirical equation was also developed with the use of multiple regression analysis. It was observed that as the ground slope changed from level to a 1V:5H slope (11.30˚), the influence of the slope on pile capacity became negligible.