Optimum design of piled raft foundations

A design approach is presented for piled raft foundations, aimed at minimising differential settlements. The approach is based on the results of extensive parametric studies. Key non-dimensional parameters that govern the settlement response of piled rafts are presented and their effects discussed. The results show that piled rafts can be designed with negligible differential settlements using central pile support, and that the key parameters are (a) the ratio of pile group to raft stiffness, (b) the ratio of pile group area to the total raft area, and (c) the ratio of pile group capacity to the total applied load. Une étude des radiers bâtis sur pilotis est présentée, dans le but de minimiser les tassements…