Response of monopile foundations under cyclic lateral loading in normally consolidated clay

Abstract

The behavior of monopile subject to repeated lateral loads in normally consolidated clay is investigated using centrifuge modeling technique. A strain-softening model of clay is characterized by T-bar cyclic tests. A comparison between the results with the strain-softening model and the test results on monopiles under displacement-controlled repeated loading reveals that the accumulation of plastic strain leads to a reduction in the soil undrained shear strength and lateral stiffness. Further tests are conducted under load control. By interpreting the gradual changes in the progressive pile deflection with the strain-softening model, the mechanism for the lateral stiffness degradation of monopiles subject to repeated lateral loads is discussed.