13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

August 1-6, 2004
Paper No. 3294

STUDY ON SEIMIC BEARING CAPACITY OF GROUPED PILES WITH

BATTERED PILES

Akira KOMATSU1, Yoshito MAEDA2, Takahiro SAKATA 3

SUMMARY

This report presents an evaluation of the design method of the seismic bearing capacity of group piles. By
model tests using the aluminum bar-laminar, it was found that the concept of effective width depending
on load eccentricity can be used to evaluate the bearing capacity of grouped piles in the same manner as
the calculation method for shallow foundations. The lateral bearing capacity equation of battered piles was
derived by using the admissible velocity field method, and the proposed equation gave satisfactory
agreement with the results of laboratory tests.

INTRODUCTION

In the seismic design of bridge foundations regarding a large earthquake, the pile foundation is designed
to prevent fall-down. The vertical resistance-deflection (PV-z) relationship and the lateral soil resistance-
deflection (PH –y) relationship are used as a elasto-plastic formulation (Japan Road Association1997) in
which the ultimate vertical and lateral resistance is defined. In order to realize more optimum seismic
design of the group pile foundation, it was concluded that the following studies were required: (1)
Application of the design method using the effective width depending on the load eccentricity for group
piles as the deep foundation: (2) Establishment of the equation for the ultimate lateral bearing capacity of
the battered pile which is a more rigid structure to lateral loads than the vertical pile. In order to study the
items described above, (1) model tests using aluminum bar-laminar were performed, (2) the failure
mechanism of the battered pile was evaluated, and (3) the equation of the ultimate bearing resistance used
by the admissible velocity field method was derived, then the results of the analyses using the equation
were compared with the test results.

MODEL TESTS

Experimental setup
A two-dimensional testing vessel having internal dimensions of 1500mm in length, 900mm in height, and
50mm in width as shown in Figs.1and 2 was used. Aluminum bar-laminar was used as the soil model.

1
Engineer, Nippon Steel Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Email: komatsu.akira@eng.nsc.co.jp
2
Professor, KyusyuKyoritu University, Kitakyusyu, Japan. Email: maeda@kyukyo-u.ac.jp
3
Senior Engineer, CTI Engineering Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Email: sakata@ctie.co.jp
Aluminum bars having a radius of 3mm and of 1.6mm were mixed at the rate of 3 to 2, respectively. This
aluminum bar-laminar has unit weights of 16.7 kN/m3, and an internal friction angle of 21˚obtained from
the shear test. Vertical and lateral loads were applied to the pile head through a rigid loading rod by an air
jack. The applied load and deflection of the pile head were measured with a load cell and the
potentiometer. Loads were applied to the pile head in increments of n×25N/min for vertical loads and
n×7.5N/min for lateral loads where n is the number of piles. A flexible model pile was made from an
aluminum plate 650mm long, 5mm thick, and 600mm in embedded depth on the tip of which a small
aluminum plate of 30mm was connected in order to sustain vertical loading capacity. Pile spacing center
to center is 150mm. Then a rigid model pile was made from an aluminum rectangular bar of 50mm ×
50mm in width, 650mm in length, and 325mm in embedded depth. Results of model tests using flexible
test piles are shown in Fig.3. The group effect and battered effect on the lateral resistance of the piles was
found to be dependent on the number of piles, pile spacing, and the head fixity condition. In this paper,
the pile battered in the direction of the horizontal load is described as the in-batter pile, and the opposite
pile is described as the out-batter pile.

Fig-1 Photograph of the experimental set-up Fig-2 Photograph of model piles

Group effect
Deformation at ultimate vertical load (50mm) for a single pile and group piles is shown in Fig.3. Vertical
load – displacement curves for a single pile and group piles are shown in Fig.4. In case of cohesionless
soil, vertical bearing capacity of group piles has been found to be greater than that of the single pile
multiplied. In this model test using aluminum bar-laminar, the same results were obtained.

○ : Single Pile
□ : 5 x単杭
Single pile
3.0
単杭の5倍の計算値
◇ : group piles (5pcs)
群杭（n=5）
2.5
鉛直荷重　Ｐv（kN）
Vertical load Pv (kN)

2.0
群杭効果
Group effect
1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60

鉛直変位　δ v（mm）
Vertical Displacement (mm)

Fig.3 Deformation at ultimate vertical Fig.4 Vertical load – displacement curves of

load vertical single pile and group piles
 Behavior to Eccentric load of group piles
Vertical eccentric loads (e=0,50,100,150,200,250,300mm) were applied to the group piles (5 piles). The
results of the experiment on the effect of the vertical eccentric loads are shown in Fig.5. Vertical bearing
capacity of group piles decreases with increasing eccentricity. The relation between vertical bearing
capacity of group piles and eccentricity of vertical loads is shown in Fig.6. In the same manner as for the
design method for shallow foundations, the vertical bearing load multiplied by piles in the effective width
B’=B-2e centering on a loading position is shown in Fig.6. Two line graphs of vertical bearing capacity in
Fig.6 shows different values, but have good correlation. These different values in the lines depend on the
group effect described in the section above. Consequently, a design method that the ultimate vertical
bearing capacity of group piles is evaluated by using the concept of effective width depending on the load
eccentricity allows in the same manner as for shallow foundations.

○ e=0 □ e=75 ◇ e=150 ○

○○: Test
荷重･変位曲線から得られた支持力値
:Testresults
results of group
grouppiles
piles
● e=225 ■ e=300m m △: Sum of capacity in effective width
3 △△有効載荷幅 B′内の単杭の支持力の合計
:Sum of capacity in effective width
3

Vertical bearing capacity Pv (kN)

2.5
鉛直支持力 ＰＶ (kN)

ＰＶCL
Vertical load Pv (kN)

2.5
鉛直支持力 ＰＶ（kN）
2
ｅ
Vertical bearing capacity PV (kN)

1.5 2
Ｂ′
1
1.5
0.5

0 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
鉛直変位 δ
Vertical Displacement Ｖ (mm)
(mm)
0.5

0
Fig.5 Vertical load – displacement curves 0 50 100 150 200 250 300
under eccentric loads 偏心量 ee(mm)
Eccentricity (mm)
Eccentricity e (mm)
Fig.6 Comparison of bearing capacity on
eccentric loads

Bearing Capacity of battered pile

Deformation of the flexible model pile and aluminum bar-laminar after lateral loading (50mm) is shown
in Figs.7 and 8. Comparison of lateral bearing capacity with respect to the degree of the battered pile is
shown in Fig.9. The zone of the passive earth resistance for the in-batter pile is larger than that for the out-
batter pile, and the deformation of the in-batter pile is smaller than that of the out-batter pile. Therefore,
the lateral bearing capacity of the battered pile was found to increase in accordance with the degree.
Deformation after vertical and lateral load tests of group piles (5 piles. / ±20° ) is shown in Figs.10 and 11,
respectively. Deformation of aluminum bar-laminar between battered piles is larger than that of
Aluminum bar-laminar beside the vertical pile. Load-deflection curves of the vertical and lateral loading
test of group piles are shown in Figs.12 and 13, respectively. Vertical bearing capacity of group piles was
found to decrease slightly in accordance with the increase of the degree of the battered piles.
On the other hand, the lateral bearing capacity of group piles was found to increase at the rate of 0.6 to
2.0 in accordance with the increase of the inclination degree of the battered piles as shown in Fig.14.
 Fig.7 Deformation of the flexible pile
( -10°) at the ultimate lateral load
Fig.8 Deformation of flexible pile ( + 10°)at the
ultimate lateral load

2.5

2.0
Bearing capacity ratio η
支持力比η

1.5

1.0
■: δdeflection = 50 mm
=50mm
◆: yield point
0.5 δ =降伏点

0.0
- 20 - 15 - 10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
杭の傾斜角α （° ）
Dgree of the battered pile
Fig.9 Relationship between inclination of flexible
battered pile and lateral bearing capacity ratio
Fig.10 Deformation at ultimate vertical load

P 3.0

2.5
（kN）

2.0
Vertical loadV Pv (kN)

1.5
鉛直荷重P

1.0 ○ α =0 °
□ α =5 °
◇ α =10 °
0.5
△ α =15 °
▽ α =20 °
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
鉛直変位δ
Vertical （㎜）(mm)
Displacement
v
（n=5,e=0）

Fig.11 Deformation of group piles with battered Fig.12 Vertical load – displacement curves of
piles under lateral loading group piles
 0.5
○ : Lateral capacity (deflection=50mm)
（k
□ : Lateral capacity (yield point)
N）
0.4 ◇ : Vertical capacity (deflection=50mm)
（ｋ

水 △ : Vertical capacity (yield point)

Ltaral load Pv (kN)

平H
荷 0.3
重P
水平荷重

Bearing capacity ratio

0.2

0.1

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
水平変位δ （㎜）
H (mm)
Horizontal deflection
（n=5,e=0）

Fig.13 Horizontal load – deflection curves of

grouped pile with battered piles Inclination of battered pile

Fig.14 Relationship between inclination of flexible

battered pile and lateral bearing capacity ratio

EQUATION OF LATERAL RESISTANCE OF PILE

Mechanism of lateral resistance of battered pile

Battered piles remain the most efficient structural component for resisting lateral loads due to earthquake.
The group pile system with battered piles results in a more rigid frame than one with vertical piles only. In
seismic design analysis, the bi-linear PH-y curve is applied to obtain the lateral resistance of piles. The
maximum value of soil resistance (lateral bearing capacity) is assumed to be the passive earth pressure
strength of the soil behind the pile. In Japan, for the coefficient of the lateral subgrade reaction of the
battered pile inclined in the vertical, a correction is formulated in the design standard [Technical
Standards for Port and Harbor Facilities and Explanation (1989)]. In this paper, lateral loading tests using
the rigid model pile in aluminum bar-laminar ground were carried out so as to evaluate the mechanism of
ground failure on the battered pile. Based on the failure mechanism obtained, an equation of the passive
earth pressure strength of the battered pile is proposed by using the admissible velocity field method. It is
obvious that the passive earth resistance zone for in-batter pile is greater than that for the out-batter pile.

Failure mechanism of the ground behind batter pile

In order to evaluate the failure mechanism of the ground behind the battered pile, the lateral loading tests
using the rigid model pile (a aluminum rectangular bar of 50m × 50m width, 650mm in length) were
conducted and analyzed by using the tracking vision system. Tests using three different degree (-
10˚,0˚,+10˚) of the pile were conducted. The photographs and deformation graphs of the soil by using the
tracking vision system after loading are shown in Figs.15 and 16. These experiments show the sliding
wedge beneath the pile is not the straight slope on that is assumed in the Coulomb theory, and has the
zone of radial shear. This is due to the friction between the pile and the ground. Then, the boundary of the
passive Rankine zone is at an angle 34.5˚ (=π/4-φ/2) with the horizontal surface of the ground.
 PH PH
(-10°) (＋10°)

Fig-15 Deformation of rigid pile (-10°) Fig-16 Deformation of rigid pile (+10°)

Equation of the lateral earth pressure for battered pile

Based on the failure mechanism in Figs.15 and 16, the passive earth resistance zone shall be composed of
the radial shear zone and the passive Rankine zone due to the friction between the pile and the ground.
Accordingly, the equation of the passive ground pressure for the battered pile was derived by using the
admissible velocity method as shown in Fig.17. The lateral ultimate resistance of the battered pile is
described as follows:
R H ( z ) = a p・B・K ・γ・z (1)
pγcδ α
○
＋

1
K = 2 ⋅ RH H
p γ cδ γz O
(2) π/2−ω1+α ω1−φ−α c
2 R ω
ω1
2c RH δ ∆ω (B)
＝ Nc + Nγ z=Zcosα Z
γz (A)
V0
N c = N c ' cos δ (3) V1
aφ V φ
N γ = N γ ' cos δ (4) e dl f
b

D
Fig.17 The admissible velocity field of battered pile

cos (δ +α )   1 cos(ω1 −α ) cosφ  1  π φ

Nc' = exp(2ω1 tan φ ) −  −  (5), ω1 = + +α (6)
cosα   tan φ sin (ω1 − φ −α )  tan φ  4 2
cos (δ + α ) (I
N γ '=η + I ) (7)
cos α
1 2

ω1
I1 = ∫ exp (3ω tan φ ) sin (−α + ω )d ω
0

1
= [exp (3ω 1 tan φ ){3 tan φ sin (ω 1 −α )
9 tan 2 φ + 1
　　　 − cos (ω 1 −α )} + (3 tan φ sin α + cos α )] (8)
cos(ω1 −α ) cosφ sin(ω1 −α ) exp(3ω1 tanφ )
I2 = (9)
sin(ω1 − φ −α )
where, RH: ultimate resistance normal to the axis of the battered pile, B: the pile diameter, Kpγed: the
coefficient of lateral earth pressure (ratio of horizontal to vertical normal effective stress) with friction
angle between the soil and pile wall, γ: effective unit weight of soil, z: depth below soil surface, α
p:correction factor regarding three-dimensional expansion effect ( α p=2 for clay, α p=3 for sand), α :
degree of battered pile to the vertical , φ: angle of internal friction of sand, η: correction factor for the
accurate potential energy analyzed by Maeda(2002).
 2.5 1.6

Lateral bearing capacity ratio

Lateral bearing capacity ratio

1.4
2.0 1.2
支持力比

1.0
1.5
0.8
1.0 ■ : test 0.6 ■ : test
0.4 試験
○ : computed
○:computed
試験
0.5
解析 0.2 解析

0.0 0.0
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
- 30 - 20 - 10 0 10 20 30
斜杭角度（
Inclination ° ） pile
of battered Inclination斜杭角度（°）
of battered pile

Fig.18 Relationship between inclination Fig. 19 Relationship between inclination

of flexible pile and lateral bearing of flexible pile and lateral bearing
i i

CONCLUSION

In the present study, the evaluation for the design method of seismic bearing capacity of group piles was
investigated to realize an optimum and economical seismic design. The main conclusions are given, as
follows: (1) A design method allows the ultimate vertical bearing capacity of group piles to be evaluated
by using the concept of effective width depending on the load eccentricity in the same manner as for
shallow foundations. (2) The lateral bearing capacity of the battered pile (degree>0) is larger than that of
the vertical pile, and in contrast, the lateral bearing capacity of the battered pile (degree<0) is smaller.
Then the lateral bearing capacity of the group piles with the battered pile increased more significantly than
the group piles with the vertical piles. It is found that the structure of group piles with the battered pile has
both the effect of rigid resistance due to the inclination of the pile and the effect of pile head fixity. (3)
The proposed equation for the lateral resistance of the battered pile using the admissible velocity field
method agrees satisfactorily with the results of the model tests.

REFERENCES

1. Japan Road Association (1997): “Specifications for road bridges,” Vol. Ⅳ.

2. The Japan Port and Harbor Association (1989): Technical Standards for Port and Harbor Facilities
and Explanation (in Japanese)
3. Maeda, Y., Ochiai, H., Yokota, Y. (2002): “Bearing capacity formula of shallow foundations
considering effects of inclinations and subsoil stratum,” Proceedings of the Japan Society of Civil
Engineer, Vol.715, p107-115 (in Japanese)
4. Komatsu, A., Maeda, R. (2003) : “Laboratory loading test of bearing capacity characteristic of
grouped piles (Bearing capacity under eccentric and inclined load, and for battered pile),”
Proceedings of Symposium on Japan Geotechnical Engineering, No.48, p129-134 (in Japanese)