Effect of Slope Angle and Edge Distance on Laterally Loaded Flexible Pile Embedded in Sandy Ground

There are many circumstances in which piles have to be provided on slopes. The present study involves laboratory model tests to explore single pile response for varies gradients of soil slopes. The experimental study was carried out on level ground and two different slopes (1V:1.5H) and (1V:2H). A relative density of 25% was achieved after pile installation. Pile length-to-diameter ratio is 30. The study examines the effect of edge distance, s, from the crest of slope on lateral pile capacity by varying (s/D = 0.0, 6.0 and 12.0). For different edge distance to pile diameter ratio (s/D) values, lateral pile capacity, maximum bending moment and lateral displacement are determined. It is established that lateral load capacity reduced significantly changing ground surface profile from horizontal to slope. Significant increase in lateral load capacity was observed with increase in pile distance from crest of slope. The maximum bending moments increase significantly with a decrease in distance of pile from the slope crest, when compared with horizontal ground.