Mechanical Behavior Non-linear Analysis On The Rootstalk Foundation

Rootstalk foundation is a bionic structure in which roots are rigidly fixed with thecaisson. Because of the penetration, compression and stress pervasion of the jackedrootstalk, the load capacity of surrounding soil is greatly activated, and then thefoundation’s bearing capacity is greatly improved. Due to the insufficient number ofactual cases, the researches on rootstalk foundation are not adequate yet.Based on the project of a Yangtze River Highway Bridge, nonlinear numericalmethods are used to study the rootstalk foundation. Through the numerical analysis，the uplift resistance, thrust resistances and compressive strength of the rootstalkfoundation are analyzed, meanwhile load capacity property and failure mode aresummarized. In order to improve the bearing capacity, the influence of the layout, thequantity and the length of the rootstalk are studied separately. Based on this study,several methods are studied to determine the rootstalk foundation bearing capacity.Besides, the optimal design strategy and construction attentions of the rootstalkfoundation are presented. This paper provides some references for foundation designand construction of the same type.