This study presents an optimized design of an Eco-friendly Piled raft foundation system using slime-improved soil for soft clayey ground at the Nakdong River estuary. Finite element analyses with GTS NX were performed to compare shallow, pile, and sli...
This study presents an optimized design of an Eco-friendly Piled raft foundation system using slime-improved soil for soft clayey ground at the Nakdong River estuary. Finite element analyses with GTS NX were performed to compare shallow, pile, and slime-improved Piled Raft foundations. The shallow foundation showed sufficient bearing capacity but excessive settlement (204.9 mm), while applying the slime-improved layer beneath the slab reduced total and differential settlements by 43.3% and 97.2%, respectively. The pile foundation met the displacement criterion (≤25 mm) but incurred higher costs with deeper embedment. The proposed Piled raft system, combining Jet grouting piles (∅1,000 mm) with a slime-improved layer, was analyzed by varying the slime stiffness (5 ∼ 18 MPa), pile spacing (C.T.C 2 × 2 m, 4 × 2 m, 2 × 4 m), and pile arrangement (uniform, linear, centralized). Optimal performance occurred at 18 MPa, C.T.C 2×2 m, and centralized layout (Case-3), producing a maximum settlement of 20.6 mm and differential settlement of 0.2 mm within allowable limits. Compared with conventional pile foundations, the proposed system reduced settlement, improved stress uniformity, and lowered construction cost by 20– 40%, demonstrating strong potential as a sustainable and practical foundation method for soft ground conditions.