ABSTRACT
Seismic behavior of steel H-piles were studied by testing five full-scale specimens with reinforced concrete pile caps. The specimens were subjected to cyclic axial and lateral displacements similar to those expected during major earthquakes. Three specimens were vertical piles and two remaining were battered (sloped) specimens. The tests indicated that vertical piles are very ductile while the sloped piles were relatively brittle. It was recommended that in highly seismic areas, only vertical piles be used to support the gravity loads. The sloped piles can still be used to provide lateral stiffness and strength to pile group. To prevent premature local buckling, width-to-thickness ratios for the pile section were established and proposed.
