Assessment of an alternative to deep foundations in compressible clays: the structural cell foundation

doi:10.1007/s11709-017-0399-5

Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

2018, Vol. 12

Issue (1) : 67-80 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-017-0399-5

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Assessment of an alternative to deep foundations in compressible clays: the structural cell foundation

Sergio A. MARTÍNEZ-GALVÁN(

), Miguel P. ROMO

Institute of Engineering, National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico

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Abstract

The new type of deep foundation for buildings on saturated, compressible-low strength clayey soil deposits, branded structural cell essentially consists of a rigid concrete top slab, structurally connected to reinforced concrete peripheral walls (diaphragms) that enclose the natural soil. Accordingly, as the initial volume of the confined soft clays within the lateral stiff diaphragms will remain constant upon loading, the hollowed structural cell will be “transformed” into a very large cross-section pillar of unit weight slightly higher than that of the natural soft clayey soil. This type of foundation seems to be a highly competitive alternative to the friction pile-box foundations (widely used in Mexico City clays), due to its economic and environmental advantages. Economies result, for example, from the absence of huge excavations hence sparing the need of earth retaining structures. Further savings result from appreciably smaller concrete volumes required for building the structural cell than the friction pile-box foundation; moreover, the construction time of the former is much shorter than that of the latter. Regarding the impact to the environment, less air contamination follows from the fact that both traffic jams and soil excavation lessen appreciably. Considering these facts and others regarding scheduling, it was decided to replace 48-friction pile-box foundations specified in the master plan project by this new type of foundation. The overall behavior of these cell foundations over a five-year period is fared from close visual observations and their leveling during the first three years after their construction.

Keywords deep foundations bearing capacity resistant moment structural cell 3D numerical modeling

Corresponding Author(s): Sergio A. MARTÍNEZ-GALVÁN

Online First Date: 16 June 2017 Issue Date: 08 March 2018

Cite this article:

Sergio A. MARTÍNEZ-GALVÁN,Miguel P. ROMO. Assessment of an alternative to deep foundations in compressible clays: the structural cell foundation[J]. Front. Struct. Civ. Eng., 2018, 12(1): 67-80.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/10.1007/s11709-017-0399-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fsce/EN/Y2018/V12/I1/67

Fig.1 Structural cell foundation diagram

Fig.2 Half of the numerical model

Tab.1 Short-term soil mechanical parameters

Tab.2 Soil mechanical parameters for pseudo-static analysis

Tab.3 Long-term soil mechanical parameters

Tab.4 Elastic parameters of concrete elements and compacted fill

Tab.5 Load magnitudes applied to the structural cell

Fig.3 Loading scheme for the structural cell foundation numerical analysis

Fig.4 Settlements contours generated by vertical load V

Fig.5 Vertical loading: (a) Failure mechanism (half model) and (b) undrained vertical ultimate bearing capacity

Fig.6 Cell displacements caused by overturning moment

Fig.7 (a) section across of structural cell and loading system, (b) collapse curve for structural cell rotations and c) velocity movement contours for four loading stages: A, B, C and D

Fig.8 Conceptual model to consider hardening compressibility clays

Fig.9 Pore-water pressure profiles used to calculate regional consolidation settlements

Fig.10 Consolidation settlements, across the viaduct

Fig.11 Consolidation settlements, two continuous supports, along the viaduct

Fig.12 Topographic monitoring of three structural cell foundations

Tab.6 Earthquakes with magnitude greater than 6.0 between 2011 and 2015, source Centro de Instrumentación y Registro Sísmico, A.C, Mexico City

Fig.13 Current state conditions of a structural cell foundation support and adjacent support on a friction pile-box foundation, June 2016

Fig.14 Traffic lanes obstructed by supports of elevated Metro line-12. Background: friction pile-box foundations. Foreground: structural cell foundations

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