Buckling of Partially Embedded Piles in Sand

Results of loading tests on one-quarter to one-half inch diameter piles partially embedded in dry sand are presented. All piles failed by buckling. The experimental critical buckling loads were found to agree well with the theoretical buckling loads predicted from an equation by Davisson and Robinson, and thus tend to support the use of this theoretical equation for designing full size, long, partially embedded piles against the possibility of buckling.