Stability and second-order lateral stiffness of embedded piles with generalized end-boundary conditions on non-homogeneous soil

Abstract

This paper presents a simplified analytical method to conduct elastic stability and second-order lateral sti˙ness analysis of piles embedded in a two-parameter elastic soil. This work is an extension to a work recently presented by the first author, but here, the emphasis is given to study the e˙ect of end-boundary conditions and soil non-homogeneity on the pile’s buckling load and lateral sti˙ness. The proposed formulation includes the e˙ect of i) semi-rigid connections and lateral transverse springs at the ends of the pile, ii) an external transverse load acting along the pile, iii) soil non-homogeneity, and iv) the second-parameter of the elastic soil. The influence of the modulus of subgrade reaction, degrees of non-homogeneity, and intermediate end-boundary conditions on the pile response are investigated via a parametric study. The proposed solution can be employed to perform either lateral deformation or elastic buckling analysis.