Investigation into bearing performance of concrete expanded-plates piles: Field test and numerical modelling

Concrete expanded-plates (CEP) piles usually exhibit a higher bearing capacity due to the effect of plates. However, the full-scale field test and the simulation regarding the influence of plate parameters on the bearing performance of CEP piles have not been studied thoroughly. In order to promote the application of the novel, efficient and economic pile in road and railway foundations in practice, this study investigates the loading performance of CEP piles based on a field test and numerical simulation model. The field loading test on the bearing performance of CEP and straight piles is firstly performed to investigate the bearing capacities of two types of piles. A 3D simulation model of CEP pile subjected to vertical loads is then developed using the finite difference software FLAC 3D. The load-settlement curves and bearing capacities of piles obtained from the model are validated against the field test results. The bearing behaviours of CEP and straight piles are investigated and compared. In addition, the influence of plate positions, numbers, dimensions and spacing on the bearing performance of CEP piles has been studied. The novel insight from this study incites an original and better understanding of the bearing performance of CEP piles under vertical loads in engineering foundations.