Cyclic p-y Curves of Monopiles in Dense Dry Sand Using Centrifuge Model Tests

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1) Introduciton: The sentence of "there have been few studies on the behavior of piles exposed to lateral loads" are unacceptable. Please make the expression a little more limited.

2) 2.1: Jumunjin standard stand >> Jununjin sand. Is it standard over world?

3) 2.2: The sentence " the pile and the soil do not affect each other at a distance of more than 10 times the pile diameter" does not make sense. Please modify it.

4) The relative stiffness of pile and ground should be mentioned. It is the most important parameters to consider the pile behavior subjected to lateral loading, considering the reality and scaling factor.

5) The obtained results from the model tests are limited on the dry loose sand. When considering the reality, its tendency depends on soil type and condition, ground water table. Is it applicable to other ground condition? What is your target ground?

6) Please make Figure 8 clear for better understand where the loop starts and finalizes.

7) Why can authors judge the ultimate soil resistance from Figures 9 and 11? As the displacement at 7m is smaller than that in other cases, it seems not to reach the ultimate soil resistance in the deeper layers. Please clarify the definition of the ultimate soil resistance.

8) 5. Comparison with..., Line 290: The sentence "at a minimum of 30mm and..." is impossible to understand what the authors mention. Please clarify it.

9) It is suggested to compare the increase of the stiffness due to densification using some element tests and clarify the densification area and depth from the model tests in the region that the displacement at the pile head is less than 10 times pile diameter. 

Author Response

Please confirm the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

1. The ultimate soil resistance in Fig. 10 should be different from pu in (2) and Fi.g 14. Please use different terminology for the two soil resistances.

2. Fig. 18 and Fig. 19: what are the upper and lower limit cyclic p-y curves?

3. Please explain why the proposed p-y curve is different from that of API?

Author Response

Please confirm the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscipt has been revised according to the reviewer's comments.

Reviewer 2 Report

The authors have answered my comments. In opinion of this reviewer, the revised manuscript could be accepted for publication in this journal.