Analysis of Residual Stress Effects in Piles

A simple method is outlined for analyzing the residual stresses in a single pile following driving or jacking and for determining the subsequent axial load‐deformation behavior. It is found that the stiffness of the pile head response is generally less for tensile loading than for compression loading. The most significant effects occur for piles in sand; piles in soft clay are not significantly influenced by the presence of residual stresses. The cyclic response of piles in sand may also be affected adversely by residual stresses. Comparisons with field and laboratory test data suggest that the theory incorporating residual stress effects can give reasonable estimates of axial pile behavior.