For laterally loaded short pile, the failure is expected to occur due to
- AShear failure of soilCorrect
- BShear failure of pile
- CYielding of pile
- DNone of these
Solution
Concept
Failure of short laterally loaded piles
Step-by-step solution
1. A short, rigid pile rotates as a whole. 2. Failure occurs when the lateral resistance of the soil is exceeded.
Explanation
Short piles are stiff compared with the soil, so soil shear failure governs; long piles fail by yielding of the pile.
Why the other options are wrong
Pile shear or yielding governs for long (flexible) piles.
Shortcut
Short pile → soil failure; long pile → pile yielding.
Common mistake
Choosing pile yielding.
Correct answer: A) Shear failure of soil