Centrifuge Testing of Vertically Loaded Battered Pile Groups in Sand

In order to develop a coupled bridge superstructure-foundation finite element code (FLPIER) that is capable of modeling both plumb and battered pile groups, a series of centrifuge tests on battered pile groups was conducted at the University of Florida. This paper reports the results of such tests on vertically loaded fully instrumented 3 by 3 and 4 by 4 battered pile groups in loose to medium sands. These tests simulated 0.43 m wide by 13.7 m long square piles founded in loose (D sub r = 36%) and medium dense (D sub r = 55%) sands at three diameter spacing. The axial load and shear in each pile were measured during the tests. Numerical analysis was also carried out to predict the battered pile behavior using FLPIER. The results showed that the vertical capacity of a battered pile group was slightly larger than that of a corresponding plumb pile group. The shear forces and bending moments in battered piles induced by design vertical loads were approximately one third of the ultimate lateral capacity.