Piles in soils prone to slump-type settlement

Abstract

1. Pile foundations are one of the basic types of foundations used in construction on soils prone to slump-type settlement. 2. The bearing capacity of the beds of pile foundations should be calculated using strength characteristics, and not as a function of consistency. The appropriate section of the Construction Rules and Regulations [3] should be reworked. 3. Under soil conditions classed as type II in terms of proneness to slump-type settlement, the behavior of the soil stratum during wetting assumes prevalent significance, and the settlements of pile foundations should be predicted as a function of possible deformations of the stratum. This position should also be introduced to the Construction Rules and Regulations [3]. 4. The question concerning consideration of negative-friction forces should be radically revised in the Construction Rules and Regulations [3], and their influence on the bearing capacity of pile foundations significantly diminished. 5. The effect of a rise in the water table as soils are wetted from below under soil conditions classed as type II in terms of proneness to slump-type settlement is of no risk to structures when the piles penetrate through the stratum prone to this type of settlement [9]. The greatest risk lies in prolonged wetting of the bed soils from above.