ABSTRACT
This paper presents the performance of a single pile embedded in a soft riverbank clay slope subject to repetitive tidal cycles in a series of 50-g centrifuge model tests. The slope movements were triggered by 5 m tidal cycles at a 3.5 day interval. In-flight T-bar tests were also carried out periodically to study the strength development of the clay slope. Upon interpretation, the clay slope and the embedded pile showed complex time-dependent behaviour. Over the course of the tidal cycles, it was observed that the pile bending moment initially increased but subsequently reduced over time. In contrast, the pile head deflection would steadily increase over time unabatedly while the slope creeps towards the river. This research has shown that piles installed in soft riverbank clay slope subject to repeated tidal fluctuations over time should be designed for strength in short-term undrained condition and for serviceability in long-term condition.
