Question

While designing lateral resistance of piles, have to engineers only use earth pressure against pile caps simply?

Answer

In case of designing lateral loads are supposed to be resisted by earth pressure exerted against side of pile caps only. Yet, it is demonstrated that soil resistance of pile lengths do contribute an extensive part of lateral resistance. Then, in designing lateral conflict of piles, earth pressure exerted on piles must also be taken into reflection.

In examination of lateral conflict provided by soils, a succession of soil springs are adopted with modulus of reaction kept stable or varying with depth. Regular practice of using a constant modulus of response for soils is incorrect since it overestimates maximum reaction force and underestimates utmost bending moment. To obtain profile of modulus of subgrade reaction, pressuremeter tests shall be behaviour in boreholes in site investigation.