Analysis of Laterally Loaded Piles in Permafrost

Relatively simple analytical procedures are developed for analyzing laterally loaded piles in permafrost. The procedures are based on a model, developed by Nixon, which analyzes a laterally loaded pile in permafrost as a strip footing on a viscous medium. The procedures are applicable to free-headed piles subject to long-term lateral loads and or moments in frozen soils that exhibit secondary (uniform) creep. Equations are presented which allow calculation of the uniform pile lateral creep rate, the maximum pile moment, and shear force. An example problem demonstrating the application of the developed procedures is included.