Composite caisson-Pile Foudation, a case Study

Caissons and piles are mostly used as foundation types in bridges. Caissons are particularly suitable for bridges with expansive spans, locations with deep alluvial deposits, soil prone to lique- faction and when there's a notable risk of vessel collisions. However, they face challenges related to sinking and limited resistance against earthquakes. On the other hand, pile foundations are not well suited for deep-water scenarios due to their excessive length, diminished rigidity, susceptibility to vessel col- lisions and complications associated with construction. A potential solution to the issues mentioned above could be the adoption of CCPF. These foundations can also be applied to enhance existing caisson. foundations through retrofitting techniques in wind turbines, trans- mission lines and bridge foundations, demonstrating their adaptability and potential for improving the perfor- mance of foundation systems. There has been successful implementation in China, as evidenced by projects like the Qiongzhou Straits Bridge and the Longna Highway Yangtze River Bridge. Moreover, this foundation approach has been adopted for numerous cross- sea bridges globally, including ex- amples like the Benicia Martinez Bridge (U.S.) and the Hitsuichi-Jima Bridge (Japan). Research from 2016 has shown CCPF systems can be potentially used for offshore wind turbine foundations and retrofitting existing caisson foundations. The construction sequences of CCPF systems involve the sinking of caissons followed by driving the pile beneath the caisson. There are two possible options for connecting the pile with the caisson. The first option can be provided by ending the pile at the bottom plug level of the caisson, in which the pile is threaded into the caisson bottom to achieve a connection joint between the caisson base and the pile tops. This methodology enhances the flexibility of the foundation. The second method is to continue the pile up to the cap level of the caisson. The pile up to the cap level of the caisson provides better integrity than the first option between caisson