Field Test Study on the Influence of Deep Vacuum Preloading on the Negative Skin Friction of a Single Pile in a Mucky Soft Soil Foundation
摘要
To address the negative skin friction in pile foundations caused by soil settlement under large-area surcharge loading, this study investigated two foundation treatment methods used in coastal reclamation areas: shallow vacuum preloading (≤ 5 m) and subsequent deep (secondary) vacuum preloading (15–20 m). Field tests on the negative skin friction of a single pile were conducted using two groups of PHC pipe piles in the New Campus Project of Zhejiang Oriental Vocational and Technical College. By monitoring pile and surrounding soil settlement, pore water pressure, pile shaft axial force, and shaft skin friction, the evolution of negative skin friction and the dynamic characteristics of the neutral point were analyzed. The test results show that deep vacuum preloading can significantly reduce pile settlement, surrounding soil settlement, the peak pile shaft axial force, the peak negative skin friction along the pile shaft, and the neutral point depth ratio. Over time, pile settlement, soil settlement, pile shaft axial force, and negative skin friction all increased, whereas the neutral point moved upward and gradually stabilized. Compared with shallow vacuum preloading, deep vacuum preloading reduced the average negative skin friction coefficient along the pile shaft by 30.00%. By improving the mechanical properties of the soil, deep vacuum preloading effectively inhibited the development of negative skin friction, reduced its zone of influence, and implied a strong potential for optimizing the pile foundation design. This study provides a reliable experimental basis and technical support for potential cost control in similar projects.