Dynamic Load Sharing of Combined Pile Raft Foundation (CPRF) for Reinforced Concrete Structures

Abstract

Combined pile raft foundation (CPRF) is one of the emerging concepts for providing a cost-effective and efficient solutions for heavily-loaded structures. However, predicting the behaviour of such foundations, especially the load sharing between raft and pile is a challenge due to its inherent complex interactions. Existing analysis methods are either bound within a range of simplifying assumptions or sometimes computationally demanding. Hence, an attempt has been made to evolve a simple and easily implementable methodology, considering non-linear degrading behaviour of soil in a rational manner. The approach has first been validated with measured response during an experimental centrifuge testing of a CPRF in soft Malaysian kaolin clay and an instrumented bridge (Impulsora) founded in soft clayey soil. Subsequently, a range of comparative parametric evaluation of load sharing and settlement characterstics has been carried out which has indicated the importance of pile layout, length and numbers to arrive at a safe and economic design.