Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability of different analytical methods to predict the behavior of a single pile and pile groups under lateral load installed in sand with and without scour conditions and to modify these methods to improve their prediction capabilities. Three analytical methods were adopted to predict response of a single pile: p y curve, Poulos, CLM methods. To predict the behavior of group piles two analytical methods were used: Papadopoulou and Comodromos method and Gandhi method. The analysis was performed was performed for both single piles and a group piles with and without scour conditions. The prediction capabilities of the analytical methods are compared to the results from small scale, and full scale experiments. Both loose and dense sand were considered. First, the above three analytical methods were used to predict the response of single piles without scour. p -y curve method is capable to predict almost exact load-deflection curves as the experimental results when a variable value of soil stiffness is used. CLM and Poulos methods are also giving good results. For group piles, Ghandi method predictions gave slightly different load deflection curve from the experimental results. However, Papadopoulou and Comodromos method predictions are different from experimental results. The above analytical methods are modified in this study to take into account the effect of scour by increasing the eccentricity of the applied load due to scour. The modified p - y method is capable of predicting similar load deflection curves as the experiments for a single pile under scour conditions. Group piles under scour are simulated perfectly by Ghandi method, but Papadopoulou and Comodromos method gave different results from experimental.