Abstract: Based on the research of soft soils under overloading, this paper draws a conclusion that lateral displacement of pile foundation caused by soil movement due to surcharge load is the main cause for the collapse of an industrial building. A modified elastic foundation beam method is herein employed to study the single pile adjacent to the surcharge load. Furthermore, by statistically investigating the effect of settlement and lateral displacement of pile foundation on bridge abutments etc.,the control criteria of surcharge load and lateral displacement for pile foundation subjected to soil movement are proposed.