Project Report

On

Feasibility of Piled Raft Foundation on Soft Wet

Clay Soil Using Plaxis 2-D

By

Group

1. Misbah Ur Rehman BCE163036

2. Ali Muqeet Haider Ch. BCE163008
3. Wajhat Khan BCE163027
4. Muhammad Darwish BCE163021
5. Wajahat Najabat BCE163085

Submitted To
Engr. Sohaib Naseer

Spring 2019
Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering

Capital University of Science and Technology

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 Table of Contents

1. Abstract....…………………………….………….……………….……......3

2. Introduction….…………………….………….…………………….……...4

3. Literature Review.………………….……….…………………….…….….6

4. Methodology………………….……………….……………………...…….8

5. Results…………………………………………....…………………...…….11

6. Conclusion....………………………………………………..…….………...14

7. References……………………………………………..…………………….15

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 ABSTRACT
This project is covering the aspect of comparison between two foundation systems. One is raft
foundation which comes under the heading of Shallow foundation and the other is Piled raft
foundation in which deep and shallow foundation emerges. The purpose is to consider the effect
of both settlement reduction and economy factor. The analysis has been done by Plaxis 2 D.
By considering real site conditions which is a commercial plot located in Rawalpindi
Islamabad. The Boreholes have been done to gain SPT results in which layers have been
highlighted with their properties. This acts as an input to the Plaxis.

Keywords: Raft Foundation, Piled raft foundation, Plaxis 2-D, Settlement Reduction.

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 PILE RAFT FOUNDATION

This term derived when two design systems collapsed in order to secure efficiency of each
other systems. Raft foundation comes under the headings of shallow foundation system
provided over there where there is a caution of settlement. Raft foundation is one of the
methods to reduce differential settlement. Although it has an adequate bearing capacity, it may
cause excessive settlement. In situations where a raft foundation alone does not satisfy the
design requirements, it may be possible to enhance the performance of the raft by the addition
of piles. In the past few years, there has been an increasing recognition that the use of piles to
reduce raft settlements and differential settlements can lead to considerable economy without
compromising the safety and performance of the foundation. Such a foundation makes use of
both the raft and the piles, and is referred to here as a pile enhanced raft or a piled raft. The
addition of piles is to reduce the settlements to an acceptable amount.
1.1.1 Piled and Un Piled Raft Foundation on Plaxis 2-D
In this project feasibility has been checked by analyzing both scenario
cases where there are two cases; one is Piled and other one is un piled raft
foundation. The purpose is to check which one is more feasible in the cases of
economy and efficiency. The two cases have been designed in the Plaxis 2-D
but to show that we have to evaluate the site.
1.1.2 Site Evaluation
The site selected is a commercial plot beside a drainage nullah which
lies in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Rawalpindi is more exposed to clay so similar to
this the site has shown the similar clayey layers so the property fit bests the
study layers.
TABLE 1.1: LAYER DEPTH AND SOIL TYPES
LAYERS DEPTHS SOIL TYPES
Layer 1 12’ Loose Silty Clay
Layer 2 4’ Loose Sandy Clay
Layer 3 14’ Medium Dense Silty
Clay

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1.1.3 Plaxis 2-D Models:
The two models have been drawn significantly. The first model shows a
simple raft foundation on a plan site 150’×150’. Where the raft fits on a site of
125’×125’.

FIG 1.1: Raft Foundation

The other model is of Piled raft foundation where piles have added to the raft
having nine piles of 16 ft length.

FIG 1.2: Piled Raft Foundation

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 CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Raft Foundation

In their normal form, raft foundations (sometimes referred to as mat foundations)

are shallow foundations formed by a reinforced concrete slab of uniform thickness (typically
150-300 mm) covering a wide area, often the entire footprint of a building. This 'raft' spreads
the load imposed by a number of columns or walls over the area of foundation, and can be
considered to ‘float’ on the ground as a raft floats on water.

A raft foundation, also called a mat foundation, is essentially a continuous slab resting
on the soil that extends over the entire footprint of the building, thereby supporting the
building and transferring its weight to the ground.

A raft foundation is often used when the soil is weak, as it distributes the weight of
the building over the entire area of the building, and not over smaller zones (like individual
footings) or at individual points (like pile foundations). This reduces the stress on the soil.

FIG 2.1: Example Raft and Piled Raft Foundation

2.2 Piled raft foundation

Where a conventional raft foundation does not provide adequate support, it can be
enhanced by the addition of piles, creating what is known as a piled raft foundation.

Piles are deep foundations. They are formed by long, slender,

columnar elements typically made from steel or reinforced concrete. A foundation is described
as 'piled' when its depth is more than three times its breadth.

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 Piled Raft Foundation is an emerging type of new foundation techniques in High rise
buildings and skyscraper which raft as a shallow foundation and pile as deep foundation works
sharing the total load and reduce settlement and bending moment. Pile foundations can help
transfer loads through weak, compressible strata or water onto stronger, more compact, less
compressible and stiffer soil or rock at depth. Piled raft foundations are typically used for
large structures, and in situations where soil is not suitable to prevent excessive settlement.
They are an increasingly popular choice for high-rise buildings.

During the design process, the optimum number and position of piles, as well as their
diameter, reinforcement and length, is determined to ensure the stability of the structure while
providing an economical solution, with the raft and piles acting together to ensure the
required settlement is not exceeded. Typically, the piles provide most of the stiffness while
the raft provides additional capacity at the ultimate loading.

If there are one or more ineffective piles, the raft can allow some degree
of load redistribution to other piles, reducing the influence of the pile’s weakness on the
overall performance of the foundation.

FIG 2.2: Example Piled Raft Foundation

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Using Plaxis 2D

3.1.1 Plaxis 2D introduction

PLAXIS is program that has been developed specifically for the analysis
of deformation, stability and flow in geotechnical engineering. The input
procedures enable the enhanced output facilities provide a detailed presentation
of computational results. PLAXIS enables new users to work with the package
after only a few hours of training.

3.1.2 Plaxis Modeling of Foundations

Using plaxis raft foundation and piled raft foundation was modeled and
analysis was done on how much settlement has been given by both systems.

3.1.2.1 Raft Foundation

Three layers were defined according to SPT report defined by

geologists. At first came Loose silt clay and then Loose silt clay and at
the bottom came medium dense silt clay. Raft was of 150’ by 150’ size.
Raft foundation was designed using material sets defined below:

Fig. 3.1 Materials Defined in the model

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 There properties were defined according the strata of
the clay at the site. Mainly there was many consumptions of
clay.

FIG 3.2: Material Properties

The water table was set at the sides because the nullah
was exposed at one side of the plot. So that side was more
exposed to pore water pressure.

FIG 3.3: Pore Water generation of Raft Foundation

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3.1.2.2 Piled Raft Foundation

Material Properties were same as that of the raft

foundation. Only Piles had been added and their properties were
defined with dia 12” and EA value equal to 3823klb and f’c value
equal to 4500psi.

FIG 3.4: Pile Properties

The only difference came that circular piles were added
which were about dia 1ft with length of 15’.

FIG 3.5: Model Showing Piles

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 CHAPTER 4

RESULTS

4.1 Raft Foundation and Piled raft foundation

Two cases have been developed and their settlements will be discussed and also with another
element analysis.

4.1.1 Case 1 Unpiled Raft Foundation

In this case, the side diaphragm walls have been overturned. For this
case the side anchors have been added to stiffen the walls. The next phase is
about the displacement.

FIG 4.1: Deformed Mesh Unpiled Raft Foundation

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 Now talking about the settlement under the raft it comes to be about
92.29 × 10-3 ft which is about 28.144 mm.

FIG 4.2: Settlement in Unpiled Raft Foundation

4.1.2 Case 2 Piled Raft Foundation

In this case piles were inducted so there was a significant change in the
settlement. But first a look at the mesh deformed diagram of the piled raft
foundation. In which anchoring must be done to prevent instability.

FIG 4.3: Mesh Deformation Piled Raft Foundation

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 For the settlement case the settlement for Piled raft foundation has
come to be about 0.9029 × 10-3 ft which is 27.520392 mm which is less than
the settlement in unpiled raft foundation.

FIG 4.4: Settlement Piled Raft Foundation

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 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION
Starting from introduction to the results everything about the project details to defining
problem statement each and everything was defined. Now in the conclusion a type of
recommendation will be given. Raft foundation and Piled raft foundation were modeled
according to the site conditions. The next thing was analysis. In the analysis portion raft
foundation settlement and piled raft foundation settlement were given more attention. So, in
the end it is recommended that Piled raft foundation reduces the settlement factor in addition
there is a factor of economy which absolutely effects the project. Also, in the end for the design
purpose add anchors for the stability of wall.

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 CHAPTER 6

REFERENCES

• Retrieved From: Poulos, H. G., & Davis, E. H. (1980). Pile foundation analysis and
design (No. Monograph).
• Retrieved From: Prakoso, W. A., & Kulhawy, F. H. (2001). Contribution to piled raft
foundation design. Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental
Engineering, 127(1), 17-24
• Retrieved From: Cooke, R. W. (1986). Piled raft foundations on stiff clays—a
contribution to design philosophy. Geotechnique, 36(2), 169-203.

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