Reliability Assessment of Pile Groups in Sands

A probability-based reliability assessment methodology for single flexible piles and pile groups under stochastic lateral loads is developed. The methodology was based on state-of-the-art techniques for the analysis of single piles and pile groups as well as reliability assessment methods. Critical strength and serviceability modes of failure for flexible piles in sandy soil under lateral loads were defined. The reliability of a pile-group system was assessed by accounting for system redundancy with the occurrence of partial failures of the system components. Reliability indices and failure probabilities were used as relative measures for the performance of piles. A case study was presented to illustrate the proposed methodology.