Side Resistance First

Many drilled shafts in soil have been designed for side resistance only. Drilled shafts generally are larger diameter than driven piles and therefore conducive to side resistance. However, I believe the reaction is the same when loaded. Side side resistance is mobilized first, then the base as needed. Several studies have found side resistance to…

Neutral Plane – why is its location important?

Recall from the initial post, a deep foundation’s Neutral Plane (NP) occurs at the location of transition from downward drag load at the upper portion of the pile to upward side resistance (support) at the lower portion of pile. Primarily two properties are important at the NP location. The first of these is the NP…