Load Transfer Mechanisms in Piles and Pile Groups

This paper describes patterns of measured load transfer in a full-sized instrumented pile group; subgroups within the main group; and in single control piles loaded in compression. The effects of residual stresses and uplift loading on load transfer are also described. Unit load transfer relationships are presented that are related to observed properties of the soil, which was a saturated overconsolidated clay. Similarities and differences between load transfer in single piles and load transfer in a pile group are also emphasized.