Behavior of Combined Vertical-Lateral Loaded Group Pile in Sand: A Review
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Abstract
This review summarizes recent understanding of pile group behavior in sand under combined vertical and lateral loading, with emphasis on load–displacement response, capacity, stiffness degradation, and settlement. The surveyed studies show that pile performance under coupled loading differs from single-load assumptions because vertical load alters confinement and stress level around the pile, changing the mobilization of soil resistance and the p–y response. In sand, moderate pre-applied vertical compression often improves lateral capacity and reduces lateral deflection and bending demand, while the magnitude of this benefit depends on pile geometry (L/D), head fixity, and soil density. For pile groups, interaction effects govern behavior; pile spacing strongly controls group efficiency and settlement through overlapping stress zones and load sharing, and overly close spacing can increase settlement and reduce efficiency. The review also highlights the roles of pile diameter and length in increasing stiffness and mobilizable resistance, and compares common analysis approaches including Winkler/p–y methods, finite element soil–structure interaction modeling, and emerging data-driven tools. Overall, reliable design of laterally loaded pile groups in sand should explicitly consider combined-load level and sequence, group interaction, and nonlinear soil response, supported by validated numerical analysis and appropriate testing.
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