Elastic-plastic closed-form solutions for laterally loaded free-head piles using idealized p-y curves have been established, and implemented into a spreadsheet program GASLFP by the first author. Based on a generic limiting force profile (LFP), the solutions can accommodate various effects including group effect, soil type and loading regime through determining appropriate values of three parameters for the LFP. In this paper, the idealized p-y curves are discussed against existing p-y curves exclusively for calcareous sediments. Responses of single piles under static and/or cyclic loading are investigated using GASLFP, focusing on examining the LFP mobilized along the piles. Based on six case studies, determination of LFP for piles in calcareous sediments is presented for design.