Bearing behavior of pile foundation in karst region: Physical model test and finite element analysis

The presence of karst formations significantly impacts the load-bearing capacity of pile foundations in karst geological environments, posing a challenge to their design. This study investigated the bearing characteristics of karst pile foundations using the physical model test and numerical analysis. First, the influence of cave height and span on the bearing capacity of pile foundations is examined using model tests. The results demonstrate that the height of karst caves greatly affects the bearing capacity of karst pile foundations. Subsequently, numerical analysis further explores the bearing characteristics of these foundations. It reveals that as the top load on pile increases, an arch-shaped tensile damage zone forms at the top of karst cave and gradually expands. The rock failure in this area leads to a decrease in adhesion between rock strata and pile foundation, consequently reducing its load-bearing capacity. Finally, experimental results are compared with numerical results to validate consistency and mutual verifiability between physical model tests and numerical analyses. The outcomes of the research provide valuable insights for designing rock-socketed pile foundations in similar karst areas.