Finite element analysis of 2 piles in series and parallel arrangement subjected to lateral load

In most cases, the deflection criterion governs the design of pile or pile group subjected to lateral load. In the present study, 2 piles in parallel and 2 piles in series are analyzed for lateral displacement. Program for three dimensional analysis is written in FORTRAN 90. Pile is modelled using 20 node elements and soil is modeled using 8 node elements. 16 node elements are used as interface elements. It is assumed that the pile behaves elastically during the analysis. The soil behaves according to modified Mohr-Coulomb criterion. Sloan and Brooker has suggested the modification in Mohr-Coulomb criterion to overcome the problem of singularities created at vertices in finite element formulation. This modification is adopted in the present study. The effect of pile arrangement, pile diameter, soil modulus, pile spacing and pile length to diameter ratio is investigated. All these parameters influence the lateral displacement at the center of gravity of the pile group considerably.