Evaluation of Lateral Subgrade Reaction Coefficient Considering Empirical Equation and Horizontal Behavior Range of Large Diameter Drilled Shaft

Abstract

The lateral bearing characteristics of large diameter drilled shaft depend greatly on the stiffness of the pile, horizontal subgrade reaction of adjacent ground. In particular, the empirical evaluation results of the horizontal subgrade reaction coefficient which are widely used in pile design are very important factors in evaluating the lateral bearing capacity of drilled shaft because the difference in bearing capacity depends on the estimated result. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the horizontal subgrade reaction coefficient on the large diameter drilled shaft is insufficient. In addition, although the range of influence and the location of the maximum moment which is the weaken zone on the pile may be correlated and relationship of these are major consideration in determining the reinforced zone of drilled shaft, the previous studies have not been evaluated it. In this study, the field test and nonlinear analysis of large diameter drilled shaft were performed to evaluate the horizontal subgrade reaction coefficient and to investigate the relationship between the influence range 1/ of the pile and the location of the maximum moment zm. In the result, the lateral bearing capacity of drilled shaft showed a difference in results by about 190% according to the empirical equation on the horizontal subgrade reaction coefficient. And the relationship between the influence range of the pile and the location of the maximum moment was evaluated as a linear relationship depending on the soil density.