Modeling of Axially Loaded Pile Group Settlement in Soft Compressive Clay

Abstract

This paper presents the results of recent experimental in-vestigation on modeling of settlement of pile group under axial load in soft compressible clay. The prototype test piles in the model were axially loaded until failure. Three mod-eled soil conditions were investigated: strong modeled clay; weak modeled clay; weak clay between strong modeled clay layers. Single pile as well as pile groups of 2x2 (4 piles) with centre to centre spacing a = 4d, and 3x3 (9 piles) with centre to centre a = 3d, were driven into clearly marked layered soft compressible clay soils (differentiated by moisture and den-sity of w = 20%, γ = 17 kN/m3 for the weak; w=10%, γ =19 kN/m3 for the strong). Using Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model, a one-dimensional non-linear Load transfer model for the settlement of pile group in compressible clay was developed. The model produced a handy load-settlement curves and settlement similar to those obtained by a number of conventional settlement analysis models.