Experimental study on reinforcement of marine clay by artificial hard shell layer composite foundation

In situ curing artificial hard shell layer composite foundations have been used to reinforce marine clay. But during construction, it is still designed and used according to the reinforced cushion composite foundation, and not combined with the characteristics of artificial hard shell layer. This will inevitably cause some economical or practical problems for the design and construction of artificial hard shell layer composite foundation. In this article, the effect of different thickness of hard shell layer and pile spacing on the bearing capacity of artificial hard shell layer composite foundation is studied by laboratory model experiment. The effects of settlement, ultimate bearing capacity, pile-soil stress ratio and pile axial force on the performance of artificial hard shell layer composite foundation is analyzed through load plate experiments of single pile, soil between piles, single pile composite and multi-pile composite foundation. The results show that the composite foundation has better performance when the ratio of thickness of hard crust to pile spacing is between 1.4 and 1.8, and the pile-soil stress ratio is about 35. At the same time, it is found that by increasing the thickness of hard shell layer and pile spacing, the pile skin friction can be higher.