Behaviour of foundations in red soils from Lourenço Marques

Abstract

The nature and origin of weak, metastable soils from Lourenço Marques region are discussed. The mechanical characteristic of these soils are presented and correlated with field tests results (SPT, deep sounding, plate and pile tests).

Settlements of buildings were measured and the rotations and bending of the foundation were computed. Systematic comparison is made between the compressibity measured in laboratory samples and deduced from field tests.

The behaviour of cast-in-situ and driven piles is commented and the settlements of spread footings and piles are compared.