Pile response to multi-directional lateral loading using P–y curves approach

The most commonly used procedure for prediction of the behaviour of laterally loaded piles is the P–y curve formulation, which gives a simple but efficient framework to predict the response of the pile. This framework is limited to a single direction of loading, while there are several situations in which a pile is subjected to lateral loads with varying direction, as for example in the case of wind or wave loads. Here an extended framework for P–y curve modelling is presented, in which several springs are considered around the pile perimeter at each depth. The advantage of this framework is that it remains as simple and practical as the original P–y curve method and does not need any further information or parameters. A procedure is proposed for the extension of a given unidirectional model to the corresponding multi-directional one. The effects of multi-directional loading are discussed based on the simulation results. With a change in loading direction, misalignment between load direction and total displacement occurs. In addition, this quite simple model enables deduction of the profile of irreversible soil displacements around the pile at various depths.