Simplified Continuum Model for Laterally Loaded Rigid Piles and Poles Considering Vertical and Horizontal Soil Displacements

An analytical framework for rigid circular piles and poles embedded in elastic soil continuum under a static lateral load and a moment is developed using the principle of virtual work. The soil displacement field is assumed based on the geometry and kinematics of the pile, and the vertical displacement in the soil caused by the lateral pile movement is explicitly considered in the analysis. An iterative algorithm is used to obtain solutions for pile displacement and rotation and for soil displacement. The method is computationally efficient and provides accurate results without any adjustment in the soil modulus. Plots are provided based on a systematic parametric study to calculate the head displacement and rotation, and maximum bending moment that can be used for quick calculations by designers and practitioners.