Piles under axial and torsional loads

An analysis of axially and torsionally loaded piles is presented in which the pile is treated as an elastic bar supported on two series of interacting non-linear axial and torsional springs. The characteristics of these springs depend on the soil properties and the diameter of the pile as well as on the interaction between the axial and torsional response. Predicted pile responses are compared to the results of model tests conducted on piles installed in a soft clay bed and loaded with combined axial and torsional loads. Both experimental results and theoretical predictions show that a torque applied to the pile head affects significantly the settlement and the axial bearing capacity of the pile.