A composite foundation that incorporates rigid and flexible piles is a new type of composite foundation. In order to investigate the pile-soil interaction of this composite foundation, a static load test of the composite foundation, consisting of one rigid pile and four flexible piles supporting a stripe foundation, was done in Wenzhou, China. The load transfer behavior was observed by embedding earth pressure cells, strain meters and stress meters beneath the bearing plate at different locations. Variation and rules of load sharing among the rigid pile, flexible piles and soil, as well as, stress distribution, were analyzed in the process of load application. The experimental results clearly indicated that placing a cushion beneath the bearing plate reduced stress concentration on the top of rigid pile and made the soil and flexible pile share load in the initial load stage, thus improved the performance of the composite foundation system. The load transfer mechanism of rigid pile and flexible pile in a composite foundation system is different from a normal pile system or a normal soil cement mix pile system.
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