An approximate numerical analysis of pile–raft interaction

This paper presents an approximate method of numerical analysis of piled–raft foundations in which the raft is modelled as a thin plate and the piles as interacting springs of appropriate stiffness. Allowance is made for the development of limiting pressures below the raft and of the ultimate axial load capacity of the piles. Comparisons between this analysis and existing solutions verify that, despite the approximations involved, the analysis can provide solutions of adequate accuracy for the settlement and pile load distribution within a piled raft. Comparisons are also made with the results of a series of centrifuge tests and with measurements of the performance of a full-scale piled raft. In both cases, the analysis predicts very well the settlement and proportion of load carried by the piles.