Modelling the Load-Settlement Behavior of Model Piles in Unsaturated Sand and Glacial Till

Mechanical properties of soil and soil-pile interface are critical for the rational analysis and design of pile foundations in unsaturated soils. This study presents experimental results of model pile tests performed in two different sands and a glacial till with different values of soil suction. Numerical modeling studies using commercial software PLAXIS 2D are conducted to simulate the measured load-settlement behavior of the model piles. Soil and interface mechanical properties at various soil suction levels used in the modeling are estimated using a simple approach that only requires the measured mechanical properties at saturation condition and the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC). There is good agreement between the measured and modeled load-settlement behavior of model piles. The simple approach proposed in this paper is promising for use in conventional geotechnical engineering practice for the design of single piles in unsaturated soils.