Session F: Conference conclusions related to the future

Professor A. W. Bishop (Chairman, Session A): The terms of reference of Session F include the question of what can be done in the future. In the Symposium on large bored piles held at this Institution in 1966 my colleague Dr Simons referred to the need to look at the overall problem of foundation design and not treat the part played by piles in isolation. I should like to emphasize the need not only for more thought in this direction, but also for more action.

F2. The pile may be considered first as a compressible column subject to elastic compression, creep and thermal effects, supported by end-resistance and shaft friction or adhesion. The latter are both controlled by soil parameters which are time-dependent. The pile must also be considered as one component in a composite foundation involving a pile cap, a raft, a structural framework and possibly a basement.