Abstract: This paper reports on experience of pile foundations and design concepts in Shanghai and its vicinity including: （1） empirical rules for estimating pile bearing values bassd on static cone penetration resistance; （2） case history of an instrumented heavy pile foundation with field observations of pore water prsssare, soil displacement, etc.; （3） long-term performance records of pile-supported structures; and （4） a tentative design method which may affect a saving of some 20% or more of the piles in a group by allowing larger settlements.