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Piled raft foundations (PRFs) below stepped high rise towers are often subjected to non-uniform loads with eccentricities. In this study, twenty five cases of rectangular rafts with different pile configurations and orientations embedded in sand are analyzed using nonlinear three-dimensional finite element analysis. These PRFs are subjected to different triangularly distributed loads and uniformly distributed loads with and without eccentricities. The piled raft responses investigated are the maximum and differential settlements, angular distortion, tilt, load sharing between the raft and the piles, the load carried by the individual piles, and the subgrade modulus (spring constant) at the raft-soil and pile-soil interfaces. The PRF responses are greatly influenced by the distribution of the applied loads and the magnitudes of the load eccentricities. The study provides insights into the PRF behavior under nonuniform and eccentric loads and may help practitioners in making informed design decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the estimation of the non-linear, time-dependent settlement of piled raft foundations (PRFs) embedded in saturated clayey soils subjected to uniformly distributed load under the single-drainage condition was developed. A total of 20 different rectangular PRFs resting on four different types of normally consolidated to moderately overconsolidated clays (overconsolidation ratios of 1, 2 and 5) were analysed to quantify their short- and long-term settlements. Rigorous three-dimensional, elasto-plastic finite-element (FE) analyses were performed with the critical-state-based modified Cam Clay soil constitutive model. Biot's coupled consolidation theory was used to model the time-dependent dissipation of excess pore pressure under the single-drainage condition. The FE analysis results were used to investigate systematically the influence of time and various soil and PRF parameters on the settlement responses of piled rafts. Fitted equations correlating PRF settlements and the degree of consolidation with various influencing parameters were developed. The proposed equations predicted the immediate and primary consolidation settlements and the degree of consolidation with reasonable accuracy and can be used in initial design stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piled raft foundations (PRFs) below stepped high-rise towers are often subjected to nonuniform triangular-shaped loads with eccentricities. In this study, 20 rectangular piled rafts with different pile configurations and orientations, embedded in medium-dense sandy soil, are analyzed using three-dimensional nonlinear finite-element (FE) analysis in which the critical state–based Clay and Sand Model (CASM) is used as the soil constitutive model. Different triangularly distributed loads with and without eccentricities are considered in addition to uniformly distributed loads. A systematic parametric study is performed by varying the different design parameters based on which the PRF behavior is systematically investigated in terms of multiple performance parameters such as maximum settlement, differential settlement, angular distortion, tilt, and load distribution between the raft and the piles and between the individual piles. It is observed that the pile diameter, number of piles, and raft plan area control the differential settlement, angular distortion, and tilt the most. Based on the insights gained from the parametric study, a design optimization exercise is performed, in which the most optimal pile configuration is selected based on the criteria of allowable settlement and angular distortion with additional considerations for tilt, load distribution, and the volume of concrete required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed parametric study based on linear-elastic three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis with proper raft–soil interaction is performed for different types of rafts (rectangular, square, circular, and strip) by varying the different soil and structural parameters such as Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio of soil, the aspect ratio of the raft, the thickness of the raft, and Young's modulus of the raft. It is observed that the average subgrade stiffness of a raft increases with the increase in raft slenderness ratio, decrease in Poisson's ratio of soil, and increase in modulus ratio of raft and soil. The variation of subgrade stiffness at various points of the raft is also studied and observed that it is influenced by the raft–soil interactions. A Closed-form fitted equation is developed for estimation of average raft settlement based on parametric influence study on average settlement of rafts and raft–soil interactions, using the least square method of regression analysis. The precision of the proposed method is checked by comparing with FE analysis results, some case studies, and existing numerical methods. The superiority of the proposed method lies in the fact that it effectively captures the effects of raft–soil interaction and flexibility of the raft. The proposed method will be useful in predicting the settlement behavior of a raft similar to the type of rafts considered in the present study at the initial design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-dependent response of piled raft foundations (PRFs) in saturated, normally consolidated and moderately overconsolidated clayey soils under the single-drainage condition is investigated using three-dimensional, elastoplastic finite-element (FE) analysis with the modified cam clay (MCC) soil constitutive model. Four different types of clay (Boston Blue Clay, San Francisco Bay Mud, London Clay, and Shanghai Clay) with different values of overconsolidation ratio (OCR) (OCR=1 , 2, and 5) and 20 different configurations of rectangular PRFs are considered for the study. The settlement response and load sharing of PRFs are investigated. Regression analyses are performed with the FE analysis results to obtain fitted equations for immediate settlement, primary consolidation settlement, and degree of consolidation of PRFs. These equations are applicable to PRFs with cast in situ bored piles similar in size to those considered in this study. The proposed equations can be used to estimate time-dependent PRF settlement in normally consolidated and moderately overconsolidated clay as part of preliminary design calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hand-calculation method for estimation of nonlinear load–settlement response of piled raft foundations (PRFs) embedded in sandy soils is developed using three-dimensional finite-element (FE) analysis in which the elastoplastic constitutive behavior of the soil is modeled using the unified Clay And Sand Model (CASM). Three types of PRFs with rectangular, strip, and circular rafts and with a variety of pile dimensions and arrangements are considered in the study. The PRFs are assumed to be embedded in five different sands (Ottawa sand, Erksak sand, Sacramento sand, Portaway sand, and Decomposed Granite sand) with different elastic properties, critical state parameters, and relative densities. Systematic parametric studies are performed to develop equations for the estimation of the average nonlinear settlement of PRFs. The maximum and differential settlements are also estimated from the average settlement. The proposed equations require the relative density, elastic constants, and critical state friction angle of sand, and the piled raft geometry and properties as inputs. The settlement equations are applicable to PRFs of sizes similar to those considered in the study and can be used by practitioners for quick, initial estimation of PRF settlement as part of design calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-dependent settlements of piled raft foundations embedded in consolidating clays were studied using three-dimensional (3D) finite-element analysis and critical state-based soil constitutive modified Cam-Clay (MCC) model. In this study, different small to large rectangular rafts connected to circular bored cast-in-situ piles resting on four different types of clays and with varying overconsolidation ratios (OCRs) (1, 2, and 5) for each clay under a single drainage condition were analyzed. The influence of various piled raft parameters (pile length, pile spacing, pile diameter, raft thickness) and soil parameters (Poisson's ratio of soil, soil critical state parameters, stress history of soil or OCR) on immediate and consolidation settlements of piled rafts were investigated. The detailed parametric study shows that critical state parameters and soil elastic properties have important roles in piled raft immediate and consolidation settlements. However, the pattern of parametric influence on immediate settlement and consolidation settlement is different. To capture the total settlement at the end of primary consolidation, a simple and quick calculation method for estimating the average soil subgrade modulus below the piled raft in consolidating clays is proposed through regression analysis and defining a combined influence parameter based on soil parameters, area ratio, and normalized loading. The results of the proposed method were compared with five case studies of piled raft foundations in various normally or overconsolidated clays showing satisfactory matches. It is believed that the proposed method will be very useful for design practitioners to get a quick estimate for the overall settlement of piled raft at the initial design stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the recommended range of HT ht by Basile ([2]), HT ht and HT ht are assumed for the present calculations. The interaction factor HT ht is defined in such a way that it decreases with an increase in the raft thickness HT ht but increases with an increase in the raft Young's modulus HT ht [Figs. The induced vertical stresses in the soil reduce to 10% of the applied vertical load HT ht at a depth HT ht three to four times the width of the raft HT ht . [Extracted from the article]

Based on the estimated HT ht , the average PRF settlement HT ht . The average elastic settlement HT ht obtained directly from FE analysis is 19.5 mm. The maximum PRF settlement HT ht obtained directly from FE analysis is 20.4 mm. [Extracted from the article]

Continuum-based three-dimensional (3D) elasto-plastic finite element (FE) analyses of piled raft foundations (PRFs) resting on sandy soils and subjected to uniformly distributed vertical loads are performed using the software Abaqus, and equations are developed for estimating the nonlinear soil subgrade moduli (spring stiffnesses) beneath the raft, beneath the pile base, and along the pile shaft. The unified clay and sand model (CASM) is used as the soil constitutive model in the continuum-based 3D FE analysis. Four different types of sand with three different states (loose, medium and dense) and twenty different configurations of PRFs with rectangular, square, and strip rafts are considered in this study. The developed equations of the raft and pile spring stiffnesses are subsequently used in a soil spring-based nonlinear FE analysis of PRFs performed using a structural engineering software. It is shown through verification and validation studies that the developed equations of the raft and pile spring stiffnesses can be reliably used in spring-based FE analysis of PRFs, instead of the computationally expensive continuum-based 3D FE analysis, for quick and accurate estimate of PRF responses. The developed equations of spring stiffnesses are applicable to PRFs that are similar in dimensions considered in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]