Laboratory model tests in soft clay were conducted to investigate the behaviour of single piles subjected to lateral soil movements ('passive' pile), and to determine the ultimate soil pressure acting along the pile shaft. A specially designed apparatus for the tests was manufactured and calibrated. Reasonably consistent soil samples were prepared for the tests by a consolidometer. The limiting soil pressures acting along the model pile shaft were measured by pressure transducers. The ultimate soil pressure was then determined based on the maximum value of the limiting soil pressures acting along the pile shaft. The ultimate soil pressure obtained from the single passive pile tests was 10.6su (where su is the undrained shear strength of the clay) and agreed well with those from the literature.Key words: pile, foundation, lateral soil movement, clay, model test.
Model Tests on Pile Groups Subjected to Lateral Soil Movement
