Nearshore Large Diameter Lateral Pile Load Test in Medium Dense to Dense Sand-Paper

Paper

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The paper reports a full-scale static lateral load test conducted during a port development in southern France to assess the performance of large-diameter dolphin piles in medium dense to dense sand. The test addressed uncertainty about whether the API RP 2GEO p-y method could reliably predict the lateral response of these piles.<br /><br />Two open-ended steel piles were involved: a 1.8 m diameter test pile and a 2.2 m diameter reaction pile, with embedment-to-diameter ratios of approximately 10.9 and 11.5. The test pile was loaded in ten increments to its unfactored serviceability limit state load of 1.452 MN. Measurements showed stable displacements during each loading period, consistent with drained soil behaviour.<br /><br />Measured load–displacement responses for both piles were generally close to API predictions based on estimated soil friction angles. For the test pile at maximum load, predicted displacements were 3% greater than measured using the high friction-angle estimate and 9% greater using the best estimate. The response was somewhat more curved than predicted at lower loads. The authors considered the method reasonably accurate for the soil conditions, loads and pile geometries tested, and observed no significant diameter-related bias, while noting that the diameter range was limited.<br /><br />After unloading, the 1.8 m pile retained a measured displacement of 37 mm. Predictions using Masing rules—implemented by doubling the p-y curve resistance and displacement values—ranged from 37.0 to 41.3 mm. The close agreement supports this approach for estimating residual displacement in the tested conditions.

Keywords

lateral load test

dolphin piles

API RP 2GEO

p-y method

medium dense sand

dense sand

load-displacement response

steel piles

residual displacement

port development