Drilled Pier Lateral Analysis Theory
STAAD Foundation Advanced performs lateral analysis of drilled pier based on a nonlinear pile and p-y Model for soil (more conceptual information is available from UFC 3-220-01A [PDF]).
P-Y Curve Method
The p-y curve method was suggested in 1958 by McCelland and Focht. It is a very practical approach to deal with complex lateral resistance behavior of different soils. Field tests using strain gauges were carried out for different soil and based on experimental data correlation between soil parameters and lateral response is derived.
A solution is derived by converging pile and soil nonlinearity.