Normalized load‐deflection curves of lateral piles in homogeneous elasto‐plastic soils

Abstract

In this paper, the procedure of normalizing load‐deflection curves of lateral piles in a homogeneous elasto‐plastic soil is presented. An analytical method using subgrade reactions reveals that the normalized relation of load‐deflection exists for force, moment or combined load. The normalized curves for force and moment load fit very well with the predictions using the equations. For the combined load, the normalized curves are distributed between the force and moment load curves, so it is easy to use interpolation from a family of curves. These normalized curves provide a very convenient way for calculating the pile load or deflection in the design stage.