<p>The combination of an annular raft foundation with granular piles is a construction technique that aims to optimize the load-bearing capacity and settlement control in specific soil conditions. This method involves using both the principles of an annular raft foundation and granular piles to address the challenges posed by weak or compressible soils. The current investigation employs an elastic continuum approach to assess the performance of an annular raft supported by granular piles. The study focuses on evaluating the impact of stiffening the upper section of the granular piles (GPs) to mitigate bulging and enhance the load-bearing capacity. The analysis is conducted using non-dimensional parameters, and the findings are conveniently presented through design charts. The results indicate a substantial influence of the stiffening factor and the length of stiffening on the behaviour of the annular raft with granular piles. Increasing the relative stiffness of the GPs emerges as an effective means to reduce settlement. It is observed that K_gp plays a crucial role in the load transfer mechanism, and its significance increases when the stiffness factor (δ) is taken into account. The annular ratio (D_r) plays a key role in the performance of the annular raft. As D_r increases, the relative size of the raft expands, which in turn enhances the overall performance of the annular raft.</p>