Cyclic analysis of axially loaded piles in calcareous soils

This paper describes a simple nonlinear pile-soil interface model incorporated into a modified boundary element analysis to simulate the behaviour of piles in calcareous soils subjected to both static and cyclic loading. A shaft resistance degradation model and a cyclic secant soil modulus degradation model are proposed, and implemented in the nonlinear analysis. Parametric solutions are presented which examine the overall characteristics of axial pile response determined from the nonlinear analysis. Comparisons are made between the theoretical predictions and the measured results of laboratory model tests and published field tests of grouted piles in calcareous soils. These comparisons enable some conclusions to be drawn regarding the suitability of alternative nonlinear analyses. Key words : grouted piles, cyclic loading, calcareous soils, nonlinear analysis.