Effect of Vertical Cross-sectional Shape of Soil Reinforcing Elements on Deformation of the Soil under a Vertically Loaded Foundation

Abstract

The paper presents results of field load-settlement tests of full-scale foundations, resting on soils reinforced with concrete piles of different vertical cross-sectional shapes.The study was carried out in construction sites in Minsk, Belarus. Deformation patterns of the foundation soils, reinforced with piles of cylindrical and conical vertical cross-sectional shapes were studied. The results of the study shows similar variation in the patterns of vertical deformation of the soils reinforced with both cylindrical and conical vertical cross-sectional shaped piles. The deformation patterns of the soils along horizontal axis shows that, with cylindrical shaped piles as soil reinforcing elements, maximum deformation of the soil base was recorded along the edges of the foundation plate, while with conical shaped piles, maximum deformation was recorded along the center line of the foundation plate.