Distributions of earth pressure and soil resistance on full buried single-row anti-sliding piles in loess slopes in northern Shaanxi based on in-situ model testing

Anti-sliding piles play a key role in slope stabilization. This study explored the distributions of earth pressure and soil resistance acting on full buried single-row anti-sliding piles installed in loess slopes. Two groups of in-situ model tests were carried out at a loess slope in northern Shaanxi, China, to observe the load transmission process between the loess and piles. Numerical simulations were used for auxiliary analysis. The in situ testing showed that the model piles failed by fracture damage. The distribution curve of earth pressure was parabolic, while that of soil resistance was shaped like an inverted trapezoid. The simulations showed similar distributions, illustrating that earth pressures have similar distributions under various embedded conditions and are related to the slip bed material and embedded depth, and soil resistance. Combining the results of the in situ tests and simulations, the axes of symmetry were predominately located at 1/3 of the load-bearing segment. The resultant force of earth pressure was located within the range of 9/16 to 3/5 of the load-bearing segment, while that of soil resistance was located at 3/10 to 2/5. These results demonstrate the distributions of earth pressure and soil resistance acting on full buried single-row anti-sliding piles installed in loess slopes that have a potential sliding surface. The results of this study will aid in anti-sliding pile design