Behavior of pile groups

A pile that is part of a group behaves differently from the isolated pile examined in the previous paragraphs. The modifications to be taken into account concern :

• load-bearing capacity under axial loads ;

• settling ;

• negative friction ;

• transverse behavior and transverse ground thrusts.

Two different causes are behind these group effects:

• the installation of a set of piles creates a different kind of soil remodelling than that produced by the installation of an isolated pile, whose behaviour serves as a reference. The reaction of the soil under and around the pile is altered. For example, when driving piles in loose sands, the density of the soil and its mechanical...