Test of model piles with branches and plates in unsaturated silty clay

According to the actual behaviour of the piles wi th branches and pla tes,a model test equipment had been designed to study bearing property and ot her i nfluence factors of the piles with branches and plates. In contrast to the model with e quivalent-diameter pile,it can be seen that the bearing capacity of the pi le with branches and plates is much higher than that of the piles with equivalent-diameter,while its settlement is much lower. The test also proves that the soil unde r the plates make a little contribution to the bearing capacity of the piles.O n th e contrary,there will be negative friction close to the bottom of the plates. Great attention should be paid to this phenomenon. In addition,according to t he laboratory soil test,it is proved that the compaction effect of soil is obvi ously extended through the plates,and it has an active effect to improve the bearing capacity of the piles. A formula to calculate the bearing capacity o f the piles with branches and plates is advanced at last.