Load Transfer by Punching Shear in Pile-Supported Embankments on Soft Grounds

Two types of model tests were performed to investigate the configuration of the punching shear and the loads transferred onto a pile cap beam in pile-supported embankments. The boundary of the punching shear was formed by the soil wedge zone above the cap beam and the plastic state zones at both sides of the soil wedge zone. A theoretical analysis was performed to predict the loads transferred onto a cap beam. The analysis could successfully predict the loads measured in the model tests. Also, the prediction by the analysis showed good agreement with the field results measured in a well-instrumented embankment where pile cap beams were placed into a space that was too wide.