ABSTRACT
Elastic response of anchors can affect three aspects of pile and caisson anchor design. Analysis of elastic effects requires a framework for describing the elastic behavior of the continuum in which the pile is embedded. This chapter first discusses the development of axial and lateral soil springs required for supporting a general beam-column analysis for slender piles. Then, finite difference formulations for the analysis of soil–pile interaction are presented. Finally, a framework for analysis of ovalization of caissons and short piles is presented. The circumferential distribution of radial and tangential stresses can be reformulated to develop equivalent soil springs. The finite element analyses can now be extended to three dimensions by attaching the springs to structural shell elements. Analysis of a pile supported by Winkler springs is possible using analytical methods, finite differences, and finite elements. Analytical solutions are generally restricted to linear springs.
