A pair of dynamic tests was performed on pile-group foundation models under both uniaxial and biaxial shakings
by use of the biaxial shaking table at the HKUST centrifuge. By comparing the bending moments developed on the piles
it is found that the symmetric property of pile-group foundation response observed under the uniaxial shaking does not exist any more when under the biaxial shaking. The results of numerical tests using PFC2D provide some explanation to the phenomenon of orthogonal loading effect. At the same time
the limitation of currently used analysis methods for soil-pile interaction is pointed out based on some derivation. The paper presents the preliminary study on soil-pile interaction under multidirectional horizontal loading
so as to provide basis and reference for further study along this line.