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PEER Research Project Highlight: “Towards Next Generation P-Y Curves – Part 1: Evaluation of the State of Art and Identification of Recent Research Developments and Potentials”

The impact of a PEER funded research project “Towards Next Generation P-Y Curves – Part 1: Evaluation of the State of Art and Identification of Recent Research Developments and Potentials” is highlighted below. The project Principal Investigator (PI) is Anne Lemnitzer, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, UC Irvine. The research team includes (collaborators & reviewers in alphabetical order) George Anoyatis, University of West England; Pedro Arduino, University of Washington; Scott Brandenberg, University of CA Los Angeles; Tara Hutchinson, University of CA San Diego; George Mylonakis, University of Bristol, UK; Peter Robertson, Gregg Drilling; Tom Shantz, Caltrans; Jonathan Stewart, University of CA Los Angeles.

Download the Research Project Highlight which includes the abstract. (PDF)

Research Impact:

highlightIn many areas of the U.S., the design of deep foundation systems for large (e.g., bridges and tall buildings) and movement-sensitive structures (e.g., machine supported foundations) is governed by increasingly complex, multidirectional loading demands and interaction mechanisms resulting from a combination of axial and lateral loading imposed by wind forces, earth pressure, and/or seismic excitation and foundation interaction. While the approach to design for axial loading has been well established and thoroughly tested, methodologies for lateral and combined loading mechanisms have received much less attention. The most frequently used lateral soil-pile interaction relationships (i.e., p-y curves) were developed for static and slow cyclic loading conditions using a limited range of soil and structural systems. Extensive research efforts have produced considerable progress in advancing our understanding of individual p-y curve parameters; however, most commonly used p-y formulations (e.g., in API RP 2A, 2000) have not experienced significant revisions since their formulation more than 40 years ago. In order to systematically address the lack of “state of the art recommendations” for p-y formulations and to improve the safety and economy of lateral pile design in non-liquefiable soils, this project will approach the research need identified above by producing a comprehensive document that lays an important foundation for the development of Next Generation P-Y Curves in the future. Along with a state of the art assessment of existing knowledge and research progress, the project publications will highlight and propose future research needs and efforts. Additionally, generated publications will facilitate a better transfer of existing knowledge into the practicing geotechnical community, as current research progress on deep foundation systems has only experienced slow and limited industry integration.