Prediction of the nonlinear behavior of laterally loaded piles in unsaturated soils

This paper proposes an analytical method for estimating the load versus displacement curves for laterally loaded rigid piles in unsaturated soils taking account the influence of matric suction. The distribution of lateral soil resistance along the pile in this method considers three distinct states: (i) pre-tip yield state; (ii) post-tip yield state; and (iii) ultimate limiting state. The lateral earth pressure coefficient, K c required in this...