Investigation of load sharing mechanism of Piled Raft Foundations in sandy soils

چکیده مقاله

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of Combined Piled Raft Foundations (CPRF), which are made up of three components: piles, a raft, and soil. Unlike traditional piled foundation designs, where the piles bear the majority of the load, piled raft foundations allow for the load to be distributed between the raft and piles. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the factors that affect this mechanism. To do so, a 3D finite element model was created using Plaxis 3D Foundation software and validated through a centrifuge experimental test. The model was then used to conduct a sensitivity analysis on key parameters that affect load sharing, such as pile length, internal friction angle of the soil, and raft thickness. The investigation revealed that pile length and internal friction angle of the soil (when under 30 degrees) significantly impact the load sharing of piled raft foundations, while raft thickness has little effect. These findings can be useful for optimizing the design of piled raft foundations.