Based on the Biot's consolidation equation

transient response of single pile embedded in isotropic saturated soil under horizontal loading is investigated by applying Novak's thin layer method. The potential function is introduced to decouple the governing differential equation

then by means of differential operator splitting and variable separation method coupled with lateral vibration differential equation of pile foundation

the expression of the horizontal displacement and the internal force of the pile in Laplace space is obtained. The closed solution of displacement of the pile is calculated by using an optimal model of numerical inverse Laplace transforms. When the soil is reduced to the single medium

the good agreement is found in the comparison between the calculated data and that of previous made by boundary element method

so as to verify the correctness of the method. Parametric studies have been carried out; and it is found that the influences of pile-soil modulus ratio

pile slenderness ratio and permeability are significant

but the effect is limited when the slenderness exceed a certain value. Besides

pile-soil stiffness ratio pays a critical role in bending moment and its distribution.