Comparative analysis of allowable load carrying capacity of laterally loaded piles

摘要

In developing countries, financial constraints often govern the scope of in-situ geotechnical investigations. The performance of large scale tests, like the lateral pile load tests, is scarce and is limited only to the mega projects. Theoretical approaches, like Brom (1964) and Davisson and Gill (1963) methods, are therefore relied upon to estimate the allowable load carrying capacities of piles in lateral direction. In this paper, the results from seven lateral pile load tests (three tests under fixed head and four under free head conditions) conducted at the 1223 MW combined cycle power plant at Balloki, Pakistan are assessed. Analysis has been conducted to compare the allowable pile load capacities and the corresponding pile head deflections measured through in-situ full scale pile load tests with theoretical and computer aided pile capacity estimates. The analysis results and subsequent discussions signifies the superiority of computer aided pile capacity estimates over theoretical evaluations. The use of computer aided pile capacity estimates is envisaged to assist in enhancing safety as well as economizing the design.