Effect of Reinforcement Ratio and Vertical Load Level on Lateral Capacity of Bridge Pile Foundations

The bearing response of pile foundations for cross-sea bridge subjected to lateral loading is investigated through threedimensional finite element numerical analyses. In the analyses, non-linear behavior of concrete is simulated using smeared cracking model, and the strain-stress relationship of rebar is modeled through perfectly elasto-plastic model obeying Mises yield criterion. The finite element model is validated against published lateral static loading test in situ. The effect of reinforcement ratio of reinforced concrete and vertical load level is explored on the displacement of pile head and lateral capacity of pile. The results show that for the pile with low reinforcement ratio, the allowable lateral capacity is controlled by concrete cracking, however the allowable lateral capacity is controlled by the displacement of pile head with high reinforcement ratio. The vertical load applied on the pile head may reduce its displacement but increase simultaneously the maximum moment in the pile body. Therefore, the optimum vertical load level is 0.4~0.6 times of the vertical ultimate load of a single pile.