AbstractAn approach is presented for the analysis of linear and non‐linear responses of vertically loaded pile groups. The soil behaviour of individual piles in modelled using load‐transfer curves and the pile‐soil‐pile interaction is determined based on Mindlin's solution. Good agreement between the present method of analysis and the rigorous boundary integral method is observed for the computation of the response of pile groups embedded in a homogeneous, isotropic elastic half‐space. The computed non‐linear response of pile groups compares favourably with measured results from field