Analysis of single pile response to bi-directional lateral loading using scaled-down model

Pile analysis typically considers lateral loads in a single direction, while in reality, piles must resist both lateral loads in multiple directions and axial forces, where the loading sequence may affect pile deformation behavior. This research investigated the behavior of a single pile in dense sand subjected to lateral loads in two perpendicular directions using a scaled-down model. The results showed that (1) soil resistance in one direction decreased when the load in the other direction increased, (2) applying load in the second direction caused pile head movement in both directions, with deflection in the first direction being initially high and gradually decreasing, (3) soil resistance in the first direction varied with depth, decreasing near the ground surface but increasing at greater depths, and (4) the relationship between soil reaction (p) and deflection (y) in each direction depended on the load magnitude in the other direction, and the relationship in the first direction also varied with loading history. The findings demonstrate that using p-y curves from single-direction analysis is not suitable for predicting pile behavior under bi-directional lateral loading.