Numerical study of laterally loaded pile in unsaturated soils

This note presents the preliminary outcomes of a numerical investigation on the influence of soil partial saturation on the behaviour of laterally loaded piles. The modified Cam clay model extended to unsaturated conditions and formulated in terms of Bishop’s effective stress has been used to analyse the results of centrifuge tests designed to address this topic. The model, calibrated on laboratory tests, well reproduces the main aspects of the soil-pile interaction. Load-deflection relationships and bending moments are analysed together with soil reactions against the pile and the strength mobilization level in the soil. The paper points out the significant changes in the pile response given by any variations in soil saturation conditions.