Monotonic and cyclic lateral loading of piles in low to medium-density chalk
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Offshore and other structures often rely on driven piles to carry lateral loads. However, there is currently no established design method to cover lateral loading at chalk sites, which are widespread across Northwest Europe. This paper reports monotonic and cyclic lateral load tests on highly instrumented 508 mm and 1220 mm diameter. open steel piles driven at a well-characterised chalk test site in Kent, UK, for a recent joint industry project that developed new benchmark datasets and analyses, supported by high-quality testing. The ultimate lateral pressures mobilised in the chalk are shown to be relatively low compared to its uniaxial compressive strengths (UCS) due to pile-driving damage, natural fracturing, local yielding and brittleness. Significant gaps opened between the piles and chalk during loading, that led to a substantially softer response on unloading and subsequent reloading, as well as marked axial capacity losses. Reaction curves extracted from the field measurements and applied in a one-dimensional numerical model perform well in reproducing the monotonic lateral tests. As with piles driven in other materials, one-way cyclic lateral loading led to permanent displacement accumulation and stiffness changes that were linked to the cyclic loading parameters. Both effects were more marked under biaxial cyclic lateral loading.
Date Issued
2025-12-01
Date Acceptance
2024-07-31
Citation
Géotechnique, 2025, 75 (13), pp.164-180
ISSN
0016-8505
Publisher
ICE Publishing
Start Page
164
End Page
180
Journal / Book Title
Géotechnique
Volume
75
Issue
13
Copyright Statement
© 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at Link to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licenceLink to the terms of the CC BY 4.0 licence.
License URL
Subjects
chalk
cyclic loading
DRIVEN
Engineering
Engineering, Geological
lateral loading
Science & Technology
STIFF PILES
Technology
TESTS
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2024-10-22