The bearing capacity of flexible model piles and small pile groups under axial, lateral, and various combinations of eccentric and inclined loads in layered soil consisting of clay overlying sand is investigated. Ultimate pile capacity is found to depend on the eccentricity and inclination of the load and, more significantly, on the ratio of the upper layer thickness to pile embedment. Theoretical estimates based on the concept of effective pile embedment ratio and expressed in terms of equivalent rigid piles agree reasonably well with the experimental values. The behaviour of 2 × 2 flexible model pile groups is observed to be similar to that of single piles. Key words: bearing capacity, piles, flexible pile, pile group, layered soil, sand, clay, eccentric load, inclined load, model pile test.
Failure envelopes of pile groups under inclined and eccentric load
