Response of laterally loaded rigid monopiles and poles in multi-layered elastic soil

A new method of analysis of rigid monopiles and poles based on the principle of virtual work is developed. The analysis considers three-dimensional interaction between the rigid pile and surrounding soil, and quickly produces pile response while maintaining accuracy comparable with that obtained from equivalent finite element analysis. Using this method, a systematic parametric study is performed to investigate the response of rigid piles in soil profiles where properties change either continuously or discretely with depth. Equations are developed based on the parametric study, which can be used to calculate pile head displacement and rotation. Numerical examples are provided that illustrate the use of the method.