Lateral behavior of monopiles in sand under monotonic loading: Insights and a new simple design model

This paper presents a synthesis of recent and new research conducted by the authors on laterally loaded monopiles in drained sand. The involved reduced-scale field tests, centrifuge model finite element (FE) simulations comparisons design approaches with published experimental data. influence monopile base lateral response is first discussed drawing tests numerical it shown that generally provides negligible contribution. applicability API p-y formulation then investigated through systematic FE analyses. results show this leads to inaccurate predictions largely due assumption high initial stiffness varying linearly depth an unrealistic hyperbolic tangent back-bone function. Based insights into pile-soil interaction together elastic rigid piles observations based 26 pile simple rotational spring proposed allow rapid quantification non-linear uniform effect flexibility added straightforward correction factor 80 extra simulations. Finally, example application approach for typical presented.