Design Charts for Piles Supporting Embankments on Soft Clay

Abstract

This paper describes the development and application of design charts for piled embankment designs. It outlines the computational approach adopted, the geotechnical profiles used, and the application of the design procedure using the charts. The soil profile used for the charts is representative of a Malaysian soft clay profile, involving a more or less normally consolidated soil, with a strength and stiffness that varies linearly with depth. Such a profile is typical of the ground conditions in a variety of countries in the Southeast Asian region. The design charts address the issues of pile capacity, settlement due to embankment load, settlement due to a temporary piling construction platform, and lateral response of piles near the edge of the embankment. The charts consider variations in ground conditions, embankment height, pile length, and pile spacing. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the use of the charts.