Concrete Innovation and Design, fib Symposium, Copenhagen May 18-20, 2015

DESIGN OF A MIXED FOUNDATION FOR THE HIGH SPEED

RAILWAY STATION OF LODZ FABRYCZNA, POLAND
Michelle Magne Tachago, Gennaro Landi, Patrick Mugnier, and Elena Chiriotti
SYSTRA S.A., Civil Works Sector, Paris, 72 rue Henri Farman, 75513 Paris Cedex 15, France

Abstract
The high speed railway station in Lodz is part of a major infrastructure project undertaken by the
Polish Authorities. It consists of an underground multimodal station 380m long, 140m wide and 20m
deep. Its foundations are made of barrettes, regularly disposed on gridlines of about 20m x 12m.
Due to its particular construction sequence, one of the main technical challenge of the design
is the appreciation of the soil-structure interaction of the foundation. During the first phases of the
construction, barrettes act as pre-founded isolated elements whereas after the construction of the raft
slab, a mixed behavior is developed: the raft slab and the barrettes interact to absorb the additional
loads transmitted to the foundation.
The composite foundation behavior is analyzed through a SOFISTIK model of the structure
coupled with a PLAXIS analysis reproducing the soil behavior. An iterative approach is used
between the two models, aiming to reproduce the same global behavior of the foundation structure
in terms of distribution of external loads between piles and raft slab, by introducing an equivalent
stiffness for the raft slab and the barrettes, which is then used in the structural modeling of the
structure.
Keywords: Barrettes, Design, Mixed foundation, Numerical models, Soil-structure interaction,
Stiffness

Introduction

In the design of structures, specific analyses regarding the project context, such as geotechnical and
structural data, are often taken into account in order to optimize the foundation design and to reduce
the global cost of the project. In the particular case of the Lodz Fabryczna Project, the length of the
barrettes is a key element for the feasibility study and the total cost of the station, hence the aim of
the analysis is to minimize the barrettes final length.
The length of a barrette is evaluated according to European Standard Norm Eurocode 7, and it is
directly derived from the applied vertical load in specific geological conditions. Consequently, a
reduction of the load becomes the main objective of the study. Considering the participation of the
raft slab with the barrettes in a mixed foundation, it allows transferring part of the applied external
loads to the soil under the base slab.
Numerical modelling helps to simulate the global behaviour of the entire structure. A detailed
model of the Lodz Station has been done using the finite element software SOFISTIK. The following
points have been taking into account for the model:
- mechanical properties of the main structures
- construction sequence, including creep and shrinkage
- mixed foundation behaviour
In order to define correctly the stiffness of soil under the base slab and the barrettes, another model
is done for the foundation (barrette and soil) using PLAXIS, a geotechnical design software that takes
into account the elasto-plastic behaviour of the soil.
This paper presents, in the first part, the 3D global model done using SOFISTIK and PLAXIS. In
the second part, the way of defining the barrette stiffness and the soil subgrade reaction modulus,
through iterations between the SOFISTIK 3D model and the PLAXIS 2D is presented. The global
bearing capacity of the mixed foundation is estimated and the main values of stiffness retained for
the design are presented as well.

SOFISTIK Model for the station design

The aim of the 3D model is to consider the global behavior of the structure, taking into account the
interaction between all the structural elements and between soil and structure. Thus, this model is
used to design all the main structures of the station, from slabs and columns to foundations.
2.1 Brief description of the station
The multimodal station is around 380 meter long, 140 meter wide and 20 meter deep. The main
structure is made of diaphragm walls along the perimeter of the complex, three main slabs (raft, top,
and intermediate / concourse slab) and barrettes, regularly disposed on gridlines of about 20m x 12m,
acting as intermediate supports of the slabs. Figure 1 shows a transversal view of the station.
Parking
side

Station
side
Columns

Top slab (1.40m-1.00m)

Concourse slab (1.20m-0.70m)

Raft slab (1.60m-1.00m)

Diaphragm
walls
(e=1.50m)

Foundations
(Barrettes
1.00x2.80 m)

Foundations
(Barrettes
2.80x1.00 m)

Diaphragm
walls
(e=1.00m)

Fig. 1: Station transversal view description

In order to reduce the effects of creeping, shrinkage and temperature, the main part of the station
has been divided into 3 parts by placing construction joints between them. Each part has been
modelled separately. The following paragraphs describe how Part I, considered as being
representative of all 3 parts of the structure, is modelled.

Western
extension

Part III

Part II

Part I

Eastern
extension

Main station part

Fig. 2: Station foundation plan view description

2.2 3D SOFISTIK Model description

To assure the global structure stability, boundary conditions are defined under diaphragm walls and
foundations. Uniformly distributed surface springs under raft slab are created for the soil, and linear
springs are used for the embedded part of the barrettes.
The calculation is done step by step, according to the construction stages of station as it follows:
1. Construction of diaphragm walls, excavation to 10 m below ground level and construction of the
barrettes.
2. Construction of the concourse slab.
3. Construction of columns and top slab.
4. Start water pumping process, in the whole construction area, to lower the water level below the
final excavation level.
5. Excavation until foundation level, around 20 m below ground level.
6. Construction of the 1.6 m thick raft slab.
7. Stop of water pumping process, thus generating a water pressure below the raft slab.
8. Construction of the parking intermediate slabs.
9. Construction of the buildings above the station.

Fig. 3: Detailed model of the station calculation using SOFISTIK

The foundation behaves as a deep foundation (isolated barrette) from phases 1 to 7. After
construction of the raft slab (phase 8) to the last phase, it acts as a mixed foundation (piled raft).
Table 1 summarizes the external forces related to each construction phase, according to the
Serviceability Limit State (SLS). The listed values are representative of the current loaded barrettes
in the structure.

After water pumping stops, a water pressure of about 83 kPa (corresponding to a ground water
head of 8.3 m) will load the raft slab. Considering a slab self-weight of 40 kPa, the resulting
unbalanced pressure transferred to the barrette is an uplift force equals 43 kPa.
Table 1: SLS external loads related to the Station/Parking construction phases
Construction Phase
Load on the barrette (kN)
Load on the raft slab (kPa)
Concourse slab
8575
--Top slab
3191
--Raft slab
--40 (self-weight)
Intermediate parking slabs,
28740
Building and Service Loads

2.3 Barrette modelling description

The 3D model is used to define the loads (compression, traction, bending moments, etc.) for the
geotechnical (mainly length evaluation) and structural (mainly sections verification and
reinforcement definition) design of the barrettes.
The vertical load on the embedded part of the barrettes, in the Z direction, is transmitted to the
soil by the lateral friction between barrette and soil, and by tip bearing area of the barrette. The
horizontal displacement of the barrette (in either X or Y direction in the horizontal plan) is due to
horizontal forces (temperature, shrinkage) and it induces a horizontal reaction of the soil.
Barrettes are modelled as springs having an axial stiffness, , and a rotational stiffness, K, in
each direction (X, Y and Z).
When the raft slab is executed (phase 6), vertical springs with a stiffness , are activated under
the raft slab. These springs have a nonlinear behaviour and work only in compression. The stiffness
values mentioned above ( , K and ) are obtained from the PLAXIS analysis; the most important
parameters for the analysis of the interaction between barrette and soil are two: the concrete barrette
axial stiffness and the soil subgrade reaction modulu .

Small side (1.00m)

SOIL

Lateral friction in
vertical
Z
direction

Horizontal reaction of
soil in X direction

Long side (2.80m)

Tip bearing capacity

Fig. 4: Stiffness for barrette modelling

Mixed Foundation: load distribution between soil and barrette

As mentioned before, the concrete barrette stiffness and the soil subgrade reaction modulus
used in the 3D model determine the load distribution, however in order to define the real distribution
of loads between foundation and soil a PLAXIS model is needed.
3.1 PLAXIS Model description
The PLAXIS analysis has been performed adopting a 15-noded axisymmetric geometrical model.
The barrette length is 30 m and has a cylindrical shape of 1 m radius, defined according to the
cross-section area of the actual rectangular barrette of dimensions 2.8m x 1.0 m.
Considering the average distance between barrettes, each element interacts within a rectangular
surface of 20m x 12 m
Based on the dimensions of the barrette described above, the height of the model is 40 m and has
a radius of 9 m. The barrette is placed along the axisymmetric axis as shown in Fig. 6.
The set boundary conditions do not allow horizontal and vertical displacements at the bottom of
the model, however along the symmetry axis and on the external boundary, vertical displacements
are allowed.
A distributed load has been defined at the top of the barrette and at the ground surface, so that the
external resulting loads can be applied to the model (see Fig. 5).
F

Sand
Eur
Barrette

Sand E
Fig. 5: PLAXIS analyses: distributed load application at
the top of the barrette and at the soil surface

Fig.6: PLAXIS analysis: axisymmetric

model for the barrette soil interaction.

Sand
E
The soil parameters have been defined according to the geotechnical
campaign results, which are
based on pressure meter tests. The existing soil consists of a single stiff sand layer, which has been
modelled as a Mohr-Coulomb material. The main geo-mechanical properties are resumed in Table 2
below. A non-zero value of cohesion has been assigned to avoid numerical instability in the finite
element calculation.
Two different values of elastic modulus have been considered in order to take into account the
effects of the excavation on the stiffness properties of the sand (see Fig. 6). As the main purpose of
the analysis is to reproduce the barrette/slab interaction in the mixed foundation behaviour, a higher
elastic modulus Eur has been assigned to the soil beneath the raft slab, to represent the unloadingreloading behaviour after the excavation. At the barrette tip, the normal-consolidated elastic modulus
has been considered. Table 2 resumes the assumed properties for the soil and the concrete barrette.
Table 2: Sand layer and concrete barrette geo-mechanical properties
Material

Model

(kN/m3)

c (kPa)

()

E (kPa)

Sand
Sand
(Eur, after excavation)
Barrette
Sand

Mohr-Coulomb

21

38

120

Mohr-Coulomb

21

38

360

Linear elastic
Mohr-Coulomb

24
21

--1

--38

20E6
120

The bearing capacity of the single barrette has been derived from the geotechnical data
interpretation. Table 3 resumes the adopted values, distinguished between the lateral surface strength
qs and the pile tip strength qp.
Table 3: Single barrette bearing capacity
Bearing capacity
Theoretical values (kPa)
PLAXIS model values (kPa)
qs (lateral surface)
120
155
qp (pile tip)
6000
6000

The total bearing capacity of a single barrette , considering its rectangular shape b1 x b2 (2.8m
x 1.0m) and its length L = 30 m, can be evaluated as follows:
= + = 2 (1 + 2 ) + (1 2 )
3.2 Barrette-soil interaction
The analysis consists in an iterative comparison between SOFISTIK and PLAXIS analysis results.
The procedure is described below:
1. Running of SOFISTIK analysis: the rate of the incremental loads Q measured at the top of
the barrette and the rate of incremental pressure p measured at the soilslab surface, during
the construction phases 8 and 9, are taken as results of the SOFISTIK analysis. These
incremental loads correspond to the construction phases performed in a condition of mixed
(piled-raft) foundation.
For the first calculation, default initial values for the barrette stiffness, Kb = 1000 MN/m, and
the soil stiffness, Ks = 10 MPa/m, are considered.
2. Running of PLAXIS analysis: the incremental loads obtained from the SOFISTIK analysis are
applied to the top of the barrette (Q) and to the surface of the soil (p), simultaneously. The
calculated settlements allow an evaluation of the barrette stiffness and the soil subgrade
reaction modulus, which a priori are different from the initial values adopted in the SOFISTIK
analysis. Figures 7 to 9 show some of the outputs of the analysis.
The procedure described is repeated with new stiffness values until the results obtained from
SOFISTIK and PLAXIS are comparable. This is achieved when the barrette stiffness and
the subgrade reaction modulus of the soil , used in the SOFISTIK model, correspond to the real
behaviour of those elements (barrette, soil) in the same conditions, estimated on PLAXIS. Table 4
shows the obtained results of stiffness at the end of the iteration process.
Table 4: PLAXIS SOFISTIK interaction analyses: final results at the end of iterations
Adopted Subgrade
Incremental
Displacement Adopted Stiffness
Element
Reaction Modulus
loads
(mm)
(MN/m)
(MPa/m)
Barrette
21860 kN
12.3
1750
--Soil
28.8 kPa
6.5
--5

Fig. 7: PLAXIS barrette/soil interaction analysis: vertical phase displacements uy (a) and vertical total
stresses y at the end of iteration 4

Fig. 8: PLAXIS barrette/soil interaction analysis: total normal stress N (a) and shear stress l (b) at the
barrette interface at the end of Iteration 4 (N,max = 612 kN/m2; l,max = 155 kN/m2)

Fig. 9: PLAXIS barrette/soil interaction analysis: vertical phase displacements uy along a cross section at
0.5 m depth at the end of iteration 4 (uy max = 12.3 mm; uy min = 6.5 mm)

Bearing capacity of mixed foundation

4.1 PLAXIS Model calibration

A plate element at the soil surface has been added to the model to represent the raft slab (see Fig.6).
The barrette/raft slab interaction analysis has been carried out according to the following calculation
phases:
1) Initialization of the effective stresses in the soil (water table is at ground level) and activation
of the clusters modelling the barrette.
2) Loading of the barrette is 11766 kN. This value corresponds, in the SOFISTIK analysis, to
the load acting on the isolated barrette during to the phases of construction from 1 to 7. When
this value is reached, the foundation behavior becomes mixed (piled raft foundation) and the
plate element representing the raft slab is activated.
3) Incremental load applied at the head of the barrette, up to the final external load (36373 kN).
Thus, the incremental load applied to the foundation at the final stage is equal to: (36373
11766) kN = 24607 kN.

4.2 Barrette-base slab interaction

The load-displacement curve from the analysis, corresponding to the middle node at barrette head
obtained, is shown in Fig. 10. The black line represents the
global load-displacement curve of the mixed foundation,
while the red curve represents the rate of at which the
barrette is taking the load.
From the starting point of the curve to the point where Q
equals 11766 kN, the barrette behaves as an isolated
foundation, so the black and the red curves overlap. As the
load increases, the barrette/raft slab interaction contributes
to a variable distribution of the incremental loads in the
barrette and in the soil. Moreover, it can be observed that as
the external load increases, the load transferred to the soil by
means of the raft slab increases as well.
At the end of the Service Limit State, the value of the
external loads is 36373 kN, making an incremental load
taken by the barrette of 45% of the total value. The
corresponding final settlement is 14 mm.
The remaining load transferred to the soil acts on a
surface area equal to 248 m2, so an equivalent distributed
pressure of 56.9 kPa can be calculated.
Tables 5 and 6 show the results in terms of barrette
stiffness Kb and subgrade reaction modulus of soil Ks,
respectively.
Fig. 10 PLAXIS barrette/ and
slab interaction analysis: load
displacement curves
Table 5: PLAXIS barrette/raft slab interaction analysis: barrette stiffness at SLS
Load on the barrette
Barrette head
Condition
Barrette stiffness (MN/m)
(kN)
displacement (mm)
Isolated barrette
Mixed foundation increment
(tangent stiffness)
Average behavior
(secant stiffness)

11766

5,5

2140

10497

8,2

1280

22263

13.6

1640

Table 6: PLAXIS barrette/raft slab interaction analysis: results for SLS analysis (Subgrade soil reaction Ks)

Condition

Incremental load on
the soil (kN)

Incremental pressure
on the soil (kN)

Mixed foundation
increment

14110

56.9

Incremental oil
Soil Reaction
displacement (mm) Modulus (MPa/m)
6,6

8.6

Considering the load increment in the barrette during the mixed foundation phases, the difference
of results between SOFISTIK and PLAXIS analyses is about 10%. The difference regarding the shear
forces at the barrette/soil slab connection is about 11%. The general agreement between the analyses
is good.

Retained parameters for design

5.1 SOFISTIK design parameters

In both analyses, SOFISTIK and PLAXIS, the value of K b in the barrette/raft interaction is similar
to the value of the secant modulus of the barrette/raft slab interaction (about 1700 MN/m). The
tangent stiffness of the barrette has been considered as representative, and a value of K b equal to
1300 MN/m has been adopted. For coherence, the subgrade reaction modulus of the soil Ks (8.0
MPa/m) has been chosen with reference to the same type of analysis.
5.2 SOFISTIK Result analysis
An analysis using the suggested values of the barrette stiffness, Kb = 1300 MN/m, and the subgrade
reaction modulus of the soil, Ks = 8 MPa/m, has been performed.
Table 7 summarizes the obtained values of the loads acting on the barrette at the Serviceability
Limit State.
Table 7: SOFISTIK/PLAXIS interaction analyses: comparison of results at SLS
Shear force at Shear force at
External
Load on the Load on the
barrette/slab
barrette/slab
Phases of construction
load
barrette (kN) barrette (kN)
node (kN/m) node (kN/m)
(kN)
SOFISTIK
PLAXIS
SOFISTIK
PLAXIS
1 to 7
11766
11766
11766
----(isolated barrette behaviour)
8 to 9
24607
11595
10497
2500
2236
(mixed foundation behaviour)
1 to 9
36373
23361
22263
2500
2236
(global behaviour)

Considering the load increment in the barrette during the mixed foundation phases, the difference
of results between SOFISTIK and PLAXIS analyses is about 10%. The difference regarding the shear
forces at the barrette/soil slab connection is about 11%. The general agreement between the analyses
is good.
5.3 Barrette ultime capacity: Ultimate Limit State analysis
The Ultimate Limit State (ULS) load values are applied to the model, keeping the same values of
stiffness Kb for the barrette and subgrade reaction modulus Ks for the soil. The results show that the
global load acting on the mixed foundation is 55465 kN; the rate of loading acting on the barrette is
32285 kN. The maximum shear force at the connection between barrette and raft slab is 3005 kN/m.
A calibration of the single barrette behaviour has been carried out comparing the results obtained
from the PLAXIS model with those obtained from FOXTA, a calculation program producing a loaddisplacement curve for the isolated barrette based on the results of the pressure meter and
consolidation tests. The qs-s curves (unit skin friction versus local displacement curves) and the qpsp curve (end load versus end displacement curve) proposed by Frank and Zhao are used.
Fig. 11 shows the load-displacement curves obtained from FOXTA and PLAXIS analysis. The
ULS loads acting on the barrette are depicted on the load-displacements curve of the isolated barrette,
as shown in the same figure.

Both results coincide until the lateral surface

strength is fully mobilized (external load equal to 26000
kN). The selected value (Q = 32285 kN) falls into a
position where the curves from the PLAXIS and the
FOXTA analyses differ. In this disagreement of range
of loads, the PLAXIS model tends to underestimate the
barrette stiffness, as shown in the graphic by the sudden
slope in the load-displacements curve starting at Q =
25800kN. The FOXTA curve depicts this sudden
variation of slope when Q = 35400 kN approximately.
Moreover, according to Fig. 11, the elastic
stiffness Kb of the barrette can be considered constant
until the external load applied equals to 35400 kN,
which is higher than the ULS load acting on the barrette
as estimated in the SOFISTIK analysis. Thus, the
suggested SLS values for the barrette stiffness Kb and
of subgrade reaction modulus Ks (see Section 5.1) can
be retained for the loads at the Ultimate Limit State.
Fig. 11: Load-displacement curves:
FOXTA and PLAXIS results and
comparison with ULS loads on the
barrette (SOFISTIK analysis)

Conclusion

The method used for the mixed foundation analysis is an original approach based on the elements
behaviour simulation. The use of this approach is suitable in cases where short deadlines require
adapted methods for rapid results. An experimental approach, thus, cannot be useful due to the
additional necessary time and costs.
The results shows that when the raft slab is built and connected to barrettes, additional external
loads applied on the mixed foundation are distributed between the barrette and the soil with a
respective ratio of 45% and 55%. It can be said then that the loads on barrettes are significantly
reduced and thus their necessary length as well.
Devices for measuring the foundations behaviour (displacements, deformations, etc.) during the
life of the structure should be placed in situ at the correct positions. These devices help to do correct
inspections and to control the global stability of the structure.

References

Eurocodes 7 (2005), Geotechnical calculation, Part 1: general rules

Frank R. & Zhao S. R. (1982), Estimation par les paramtres pressiomtriques de l'enfoncement sous
charge axiale des pieux fors dans les sols fins, Bull. liaison Labo P. et Ch., n 119, mai-juin 1982,
pp. 17-24 (in French).

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