3-Dimensional Analysis of Fixed-Headed Single Pile and 2 × 2 Pile Group in Multilayered Soil

Apart from vertical loads from the supporting superstructure, pile foundations are often subjected to lateral loads and moments owing to the actions of wind, traffic, earth pressure, water wave, seismic forces or their combined action. The analysis and design of piles, subjected to such lateral forces, are very important for ensuring the serviceability of the supported structure. This article reports the lateral load behavior of a fixed-headed floating tip single pile and 2 × 2 pile group embedded in layered soil. For this purpose, nonlinear 3-dimensional Finite Element analysis is conducted using PLAXIS 3D. The multilayered soils are represented by Mohr–Coulomb models, while the pile is represented by the elastic embedded beam model. The 3D analysis provides detailed insight into the characteristic development of 3D stress-strain features surrounding the pile that governs its flexural response. The outcomes of the present study are compared to the results from simplified numerical approaches available in the literature, thereby highlighting the efficacy of the developed finite element model. The study revealed that the soil stratigraphy largely influences the flexural response of the pile. The influence of the pile group on the stress-strain behavior of the soil, flexural response of the pile, and the pile–soil interaction is also revealed.