Vertical bearing capacity of HSCM pile groups in marine soft clay

Helix Stiffened Cement Mixing (HSCM) piles were a new type of composite pile developed in recent years, synchronized with grouting during the installation of helical piles to form a composite pile comprising cement soil. In this study, HSCM piles were installed in groups. This study evaluated the compressive bearing capacity of HSCM pile groups with varying numbers of piles (2, 3, and 4) and different cap configurations (high cap and low cap) in clay soil using laboratory model tests. The load-displacement curves, group pile effect, and load sharing by the cap were analyzed, and finite element models were created for further analysis. Increasing pile spacing enhances the influence of pile number on the ultimate bearing capacity of HSCM pile groups. At higher pile spacings, the group pile effect became minimal or negligible. Furthermore, for low cap HSCM pile groups, the cap distributes the load more effectively, thereby increasing the ultimate compressive capacity.