Passive Earth Pressure Mobilization during Cyclic Loading
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132, Issue 9
Abstract
The passive resistance measured in a series of full-scale tests on a pile cap is compared with existing theories. Four different soils were selected as backfill in front of the pile cap and the load-deflection relationships under cyclic loading were investigated. The log spiral theory provided the best agreement with the measured passive resistance. The Rankine theory significantly underestimated the passive force, while the Coulomb theory generally overestimated the resistance. The displacement necessary to mobilize the maximum passive force was compared with previous model and full-scale tests and ranged from 3.0 to 5.2% of the cap height. A hyperbolic model provided the best agreement with the measured backbone passive resistance curve compared with recommendations given by Caltrans and the U.S. Navy. However, this model overestimated the passive resistance for cyclic loading conditions due to the formation of a gap between the pile cap and backfill soil and backfill stiffness reduction. Based on the test results, the cyclic-hyperbolic model is developed to define load-deflection relationships for both virgin and cyclic loading conditions with the presence of a gap.
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Acknowledgments
The Utah Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration provided funding for this project. Their support is gratefully acknowledged. The views and recommendations expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsors. The writers also wish to thank David Anderson, the Civil Engineering Department Technician who provided assistance with the testing setup and instrumentation for this study.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 132 • Issue 9 • September 2006
Pages: 1154 - 1164
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 15, 2004
Accepted: Dec 20, 2004
Published online: Sep 1, 2006
Published in print: Sep 2006
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