17. Foundations in a rising groundwater environment

Centrifuge model experiments and finite element analyses have been carried out to examine the effect of increasing pore pressures on the behaviour of foundations buried in an over consolidated clay deposit. The results show that foundations settle relative to a heaving soil surface and suffer a loss in ultimate load carrying capacity. Differential settlements between independent shallow and deep foundations were observed.

• Introduction

• Centrifuge testing

• Finite element modelling

• Heave and settlements with rising water levels

• Loss of pile load capacity with reducing effective stresses

• Conclusions

• Acknowledgement

• References