Lateral Resistance of Belled Pile Embedded in Sand

Piles are subjected to lateral and uplift loads in case of offshore structures, transmission towers and foundations for wind turbines. An attempt is made to investigate the effect of belled pile to resist lateral loads. Model tests were conducted by varying L/d ratio, Db/Ds; where Db = diameter of bell, Ds = diameter of shaft/pile and also by varying the relative density corresponding to loose and medium dense states of sand. A series of experiments were conducted in a model box, using aluminium piles with Ds of 48 mm and Db of 72 mm and 96 mm at base angles of 30°, 45° and 60° respectively are used. Relative density is achieved by means of rainfall technique. Tests were conducted for L/d ratios of 5, 7.5 and 10. The lateral load was applied in increments using lever hoist arrangement connected to prove ring and corresponding lateral deformations was observed with a dial gauge. From test results with increasing the L/d ratio, bell diameter and relative density would result in increase of the lateral resistance and decrease in deformation. It was also observed that lateral resistance of belled pile is more compared to monopile.