AbstractA two‐parameter model has been proposed previously for predicting the response of laterally loaded single piles in homogenous soil. A disadvantage of the model is that at high Poisson's ratio, unreliable results may be obtained. In this paper, a new load transfer approach is developed to simulate the response of laterally loaded single piles embedded in a homogeneous medium, by introducing a rational stress field. The approach can overcome the inherent disadvantage of the two‐parameter model, although developed in a similar way. Generalized solutions for a single pile and the surrounding soil under various pile‐head and base conditions were established and presented in compact forms. With the solutions, a load transfer factor, correlating the displacements of the pile and the soil, was estimated and expressed as a simple equation. Expressions were developed for the modulus of subgrade reaction for a Winkler model as a unique function of the load transfer factor. Simple expressions were developed for estimating critical pile length, maximum bending moment, and the depth at which the maximum moment occurs. All the newly established solutions and/or expressions, using the load transfer factor, offer satisfactory predictions in comparison with the available, more rigorous numerical approaches. The current solutions are applicable to various boundary conditions, and any pile–soil relative stiffness. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.