Simple reinforcement of the foundation of plastic greenhouses to prevent wind damage (3)

The design method of the pile foundation in case of saturated soil

Abstract

The design method of the simple pile foundation was discussed in our former report. The present report proposes consideration of the pile foundation design in the case of turning to the saturated soil around the foundation during heavy rain.
We predicted the time when soil saturation has occurred, from the viewpoint of soil physics. And, the decrease of the bearing capacity of the ground was considered for the pile foundation design.
The actual sized tests were carried out. The pulling resistance and the lateral resistance of the thin piles in the saturated soil were measured.
From these results, the ultimate lateral load and pulling load of the piles decrease about 30% compared with these loads in unsaturated soil. And, it is necessary to increase the design strength of the pile foundation in greenhouses with on-going saturated soil conditions.