Model load tests on battered pile foundations and finite-element analysis

Behaviours and resistance mechanisms of pile groups and piled rafts with or without batter piles were investigated through a series of load tests on foundation models at 1g field. Three-pile pile foundation models were used in the experiments. Dry silica sand having a relative density, D_r, of ∼82% was used for the model ground throughout the experiments. A series of triaxial CD tests of the sand were carried out to characterise the sand behaviour. Close-ended model pipe piles having a length of 255 mm and an outer diameter of 20 mm were used in the foundation models. The results of the load tests are presented and discussed in detail, focusing mainly on the horizontal load tests. Numerical analyses were conducted for cases of the piled rafts subjected to horizontal load to confirm the experimental results and to get a deeper insight into the resistance mechanisms of the piled raft foundations. It is shown from the results that the foundations with batter piles have advantages over the foundations with only vertical piles in aspects of resistance and settlement reduction.