The behaviour of bent pile, with consequent initial stresses, subjected to axial load is studied. Finite difference method is used to find the variation of pile stress parameter with respect to slenderness parameter. It is shown that too rigid pile and also too flexible pile fail to derive benefit from the surrounding soil. On the other hand, moderately regid or flexible pile is more beneficial. Design charts and formulate are given to select pile cross section which has optimal axial capacity.

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