Theoretical and Experimental Study on the Vertical Bearing Behavior of Super-Long Filling Piles in Soft Soil Area

Based on the vertical static load test results on a test pile, located in the soft soil, the load transfer mechanism and bearing behavior of super-long filling piles is first discussed. Then, a method of predicting the axial bearing capacity of super-long piles by the pile top settlement is advised. By introducing the linear elastic-fully plastic model and tri-broken-line model to fit the development of shaft resistance and tip resistance respectively, analytical solutions of axial load capacity is derived under elastic stage of the subsoil. Finally, the present method is applied to analyze the data from the test pile, from which good agreement between the predicted and measured pile top load-settlement curves is found. The results also show that buckling stability analysis and deformation checks are necessary for super-long filling piles, and the axial bearing capacity of super-long piles should be controlled by the allowable settlement on the pile top.