The effect of scour on laterally loaded piles installed in sand is investigated using laboratory model tests. The model test was performed in a large tank. The influence of different scour depths and the use of riprap as a potential remedial measures, were studied. The scour depth was varied from 1D to 3D (where D is the pile diameter). A substantial reduction in ultimate lateral capacity of the pile due to scour is observed. The percentage decrease of the lateral load capacity (PDC) reaches almost 20% when the scour depth increases from 0 to 3 D. The countermeasure used in this study (i.e. riprap) has a significant influence on the lateral load resistance for the scoured piles. The riprap improves the ultimate lateral resistance of the pile for the 3D scour case from 52 to 116 N.
Subjects: bending moment, deflection, dune sand, laboratory model, laterally loaded piles, scour
Author: Ammar A. Mohammed and Yahia E.-A. Mohamedzein
Publisher: DFI