Experimental study on seismic response of foundation composed of micropiles and soilbags

Abstract

The authors propose foundation composed of micropiles and soilbags as a new foundation type. The foundation is characterized by laying soilbags on the pile head and constructing structures on the soilbags. The expected effects are omitting junction structures of piles and footing, reducing diameter of piles, and reducing response acceleration of structures. In this study, shaking table tests and their reproduction analysis targeting piers on the supporting ground, on the micropiles, and on the proposed foundation were conducted. The tests and analysis results showed that bearing capacity of proposed foundation was almost equivalent to that of supporting ground, and that the bending moments of micropiles were suppressed by laying soilbags on the micropiles.