New Foundation Design Reduces Settlement and Increases Stability of Structures.
The researchers studied how rigid pile composite foundations strengthen soft ground. They tested the vertical capacity of single piles, stress in pile-pile cap structures, and settlement with load and time. Results showed that the soil between piles under the cap doesn't affect design, pile-soil stress ratio increases with filling height, cushions impact stress ratio and settlement, and the foundation settles very little and quickly. This helps improve the theory and design of rigid pile composite foundations.