COMPUTER AIDED PROPORTIONING OF PILE FOUNDATION

Abstract

The selection of type of pile,determination of the length, diameter, number and spacing of piles constitute proportioning. Proportioning is carried out based on the soil profile,construction technique to be adopted, bearing capacity and settlement Calculations etc. The available literature on the most important aspects of proportioning,ie, bearing capacity and settlement of piles and pile groups are summarized in chapters 2 and 3. The various design steps involved in proportioning of pile groups are brought out in an orderly manner in chapter 4. These steps are translated into a user friendly program. The computer program processes the data usually obtained from field tests such as Static Cone Penetration Test and Standard Penetration Test in cohesionless soils and laboratory tests such as Unconfined Compression Test, and Consolidation Test in cohesive soils. These data are appropriately used in proportioning of the foundation. Further, the program can handle various pile-soil systems,helps a beginner to take appropriate design decisions and presents the final design in a convenient manner.The details of the program are presented in the form of a Flowchart. The program is used to solve a number of numerical problems on proportioning. The results obtained are presented to bring out (i) the effect of the method of construction on pile capacity and (ii) settlement of pile groups as a function of width of the pile group. A set of design charts are also presented to enable a preliminary exercise on proportioning without resorting to the use of the program.