Analytical Study on the Settlement Process of Structures on Cohesive Soils

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the settlement process of structures which are supported by the friction piles or spread foundations on cohesive soils. Three-dimensional element is derived from the effective stress principle, and four structure-foundation models are analyzed by the finite element method. The results are summarized as follows : a large amount of differential settlements occuar at undrained stage, although the total settlement of structures is made up of an undrained component and a consolidation component. The total settlements and the differential ones are significantly affected by the rigidity of piles and that of superstructures, respectively. And further, the friction piles are effective to reduce the differential settlements of structures at drained stage