THEORETICAL ANALYSIS ON THE COMPRESSION BEARING CAPACITY OF BELLED WEDGE PILES

Belled wedge piles are an effective new type of pile which can improve side friction, pile tip resistance, and unit material bearing capacity usage; However, there are few studies focused on theoretical calculation methods of their vertical compressive bearing capacity. In small angle range (<5°), based on the Randolph & Wroth load transfer theoretical model, a calculation method for bearing capacity of belled wedge piles which considers taper angle effect was developed. The accuracy and reliability of the theoretical model was verified by comparative analysis with numerical computational model and model test results. Then, influence factors such as taper angle, enlarged pile base, and pile modulus characteristics were analyzed and discussed. The results show that the vertical compressive bearing capacity of belled wedge piles can be accurately and efficiently calculated by the theoretical method established in this paper; also, the vertical compressive bearing capacity of belled wedge piles is more obviously influenced by enlarged pile base than taper angle.