An Analytical Method for Calculating Ultimate End-Bearing Capacity of Rock-Socketed Piles Considering the Near-Slope Condition

Rock-socketed piles are commonly used in coastal engineering, and their bearing capacity has attracted extensive attention. To study the bearing capacity of rock-socketed piles near slopes, this paper develops an analytical method for determining the ultimate end-bearing capacity of piles based on the method of characteristics and the Hoek–Brown criterion. This method modifies the calculation procedures for piles embedded in level and inclined rock. A new proportionality coefficient is introduced to characterize the relationship between the distance of the pile from the slope crest and the characteristic lines. To solve for the coefficient, a specific geometric relationship is found. The proposed method is verified against published experimental results, existing analytical solutions, and three-dimensional finite element analyses. The mean relative error with respect to the experimental data is 22.3%, the maximum relative error is 34.6%, and the deviation from the finite element results is within 10%. Finally, the influence of the distance of the pile from the slope crest on the limiting embedment ratios and the ultimate end-bearing capacity of piles is studied by using this method.