<p>The response of piles to cyclic loading is a critical consideration in coastal regions, where foundations are continuously subjected to wave action, wind, and other dynamic forces. Among the governing factors, pile geometry plays a decisive role in controlling the load-bearing capacity and deformation behavior. This study investigates the cyclic performance of four steel pile types with distinct cross-sectional configurations—square, circular, H-shaped, and helical—using a large-scale frustum-confining vessel. The tests were conducted under combined static and cyclic loading, with cyclic demands applied up to 500 cycles at 10% of the static bearing capacity and a frequency of 0.1&#xa0;Hz. Key performance parameters, including stiffness degradation, displacement accumulation rate, fatigue resistance, and energy dissipation, were systematically evaluated to assess the resilience of pile–soil systems under repeated loading. The results highlighted the significant influence of geometry on the cyclic responses. Square and cylindrical piles demonstrated superior settlement control and minimal degradation, making them particularly favorable for applications in which serviceability and long-term stability are critical. Conversely, although the H-shaped and helical piles exhibited larger cyclic displacements, they provided higher initial bearing capacities and superior energy absorption characteristics. These findings highlight the significance of geometry-specific considerations in foundation design, offering practical guidance for selecting suitable pile types in coastal and sandy environments. This study demonstrated that tailoring pile geometry to site-specific cyclic demands can significantly enhance the resilience and performance of pile foundations under complex dynamic conditions.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>