Practical method for settlement calculation of large-diameter belled piles

Based on the stress distribution characteristics of pile tip, a practical method is derived to calculate tip settlement of large-diameter belled piles using the Mindlin fundamental solution. And the settlement coefficient is also given. The deformation modulus of pile tip bearing stratum is determined by deep plate loading test. However, the deep plate loading test is difficult at a certain condition. So, according to a large number of measured settlement data and load test results of large-diameter belled piles, the relationship between the compression modulus and the deformation modulus is obtained. Large numbers of engineering cases indicate that the proposed settlement formula is feasible.