NONLINEAR ANALYSIS Of TORSIONALLY LOADED PILE GROUPS

An empirical approach is developed to analyze the nonlinear torsional behavior of free-standing pile groups with rigid pile caps. In this approach, the lateral and torsional responses of individual piles in a pile group are modeled by p-y and τ-θ curves; the interaction among lateral resistances of the individual piles is predicted through Mindlin's elastic solutions; the interactions between the torsional and lateral resistances of the individual piles are described through Randolph's solution; and the coupling effect of lateral resistance on torsional resistance of the individual piles is quantified using an empirical factor “β”. The proposed approach is capable of capturing the most significant aspects of pile-soil-pile interactions and coupling effect in pile groups subjected to torsion. The proposed approach is verified using results of centrifuge model tests. In general, the applied torque-twist angle response and the transfer of applied torque in pile groups can be reasonably well predicted and are sensitive to the pile group configuration.