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This paper addresses the effect of particle gradation on the lateral response of pile in coral sand foundation through numerical method. Firstly, the parameters of Hypoplastic (HP) constitutive model were calibrated by a series of laboratory tests and show obvious difference in value between fine and coarse coral sand. Subsequently, a 50 g centrifuge test and 1g model pile test were carried out to verify the numerical model and calibrated parameters. Afterward, numerical analyses were systematically conducted to investigate the influence of particle gradation, buried depth, and relative density on the lateral response of pile. The lateral load–displacement response, deflection and bending moment of pile, and soil resistance were analyzed and discussed in detail. Numerical results show that the bearing capacity of pile and soil resistance in coarse sand are greater than those in fine coral sand when the relative density is 25 % or 50 %. However, when the relative density is 75 %, the bearing capacity of pile and soil resistance in fine sand present significantly greater values than those in coarse sand under higher lateral displacement level. Moreover, the difference in lateral response of pile between coarse and fine coral sand is more significant in looser sand or shorter pile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]