3-D Analysis of a Piled-Raft Foundation Subjected to Vertical and Lateral Loads

The objective of this research work is to study the behavior of piled-raft foundations subjected to vertical and lateral loads. Study for most of the previous research in this field shows that most of these studies analyzed piled-raft foundations in 2-D plane presenting the pile as a spring which may not give very accurate results. In this research, 3-D finite element method is suggested to represent piled-raft interaction. This leads to better representation for the elements which gives more reliable results such as (axial displacement, rotational displacement, vertical forces and moments acting on the pile and the raft). The results from this analysis will be compared with the results of a case study on a bridge in Basra, Iraq called (Fly Over Bridge) in order to verify the model. An extensive parametric study will be performed to assess the effect of various factors on the internal forces generated in the raft and piles. From analysis, there are important recommendations concerning the maximum inclination angle of the pile, and the diameter of the piles on the internal forces generated in the foundation and the piles and their equilibrium.