Techno Press
Techno Press

Structural Engineering and Mechanics
  Volume 71, Number 2, July25 2019 , pages 119-129
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/sem.2019.71.2.119
 


Simplified method to design laterally loaded piles with optimum shape and length
Luigi Fenu, Bruno Briseghella and Giuseppe Carlo Marano

 
Abstract
    Optimum shape and length of laterally loaded piles can be obtained with different optimization techniques. In particular, the Fully Stress Design method (FSD) is an optimality condition that allows to obtain the optimum shape of the pile, while the optimum length can be obtained through a transversality condition at the pile lower end. Using this technique, the structure is analysed by finite elements and shaped through the FSD method by contemporarily checking that the transversality condition is satisfied. In this paper it is noted that laterally loaded piles with optimum shape and length have some peculiar characteristics, depending on the type of cross-section, that allow to design them with simple calculations without using finite element analysis. Some examples illustrating the proposed simplified design method of laterally loaded piles with optimum shape and length are introduced.
 
Key Words
    Winkler\'s soil; FSD method; laterally loaded piles; optimum shape and length; specific constants; simplified design
 
Address
Luigi Fenu: Department of Civil & Environment Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
Bruno Briseghella and Giuseppe Carlo Marano: College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, No. 2 Xue Yuan Road, University Town, Fuzhou 350108 - Fujian, China
 

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