Behaviour of wedge foundations under axial compression

Wedge or tapered foundations of buildings, which have greater top cross-sections than bottom ones, are not often considered as a design option due to their shape. However, precast wedge foundations could be considered as “quick foundation systems” in case of light structures which should be rapidly installed. Similar to tapered piles, this foundation shape can offer besides the bottom base resistance, a good lateral contact between the inclined concrete faces and the surrounding soil. The paper presents the experimental results of two wedge foundation specimens subjected to axial compression tests conducted in accordance to actual standards. The results recorded on sites are presented under the form of pressure-settlement diagrams and are compared with similar values recorded for usual prismatic foundations. The study is completed by an environmental impact analysis made on the two systems along with potential benefits and loads, beyond the system boundary, at the foundations’ end-of-life.