Settlement of and load distribution in a granular piled raft

Abstract

The interactions between a granular pile and raft placed on top are investigated using the continuum approach. The compatibility of vertical and radial displacements along the pile - soil interface and of the vertical displacements along the raft - top of ground interfaces are satisfied. Results show that consideration of radial displacement compatibility does not influence the settlement response of or sharing of the applied load between the granular pile and the raft. The percentage load carried by the granular pile (GP) increases with the increase of its stiffness and decreases with the increase of the relative size of raft. The normal stresses at the raft - soil interface decrease with the increase of stiffness of GP and/or relative length of GP. The influences of GP stiffness and relative length of GP are found to be more for relatively large size of raft. The percentage of load transferred to the base of GP increases with the increase of relative size of raft.