泰州大桥中塔位于江中心，基础覆盖层高达200 m。通过多方面比选，基础采用58 m×44 m四角倒圆的矩形沉井，高76 m。为确保泰州大桥中塔沉井基础的安全和稳定，开展了1∶100的模型试验，获取了泰州大桥沉井极限承载力以及沉井埋深、土体含水量、侧壁摩阻力对极限承载力的影响。

The foundation of the middle pylon of Taizhou Bridge is located above the overlying deposit with the height of 200 m in the water. The round rectangular caisson foundation with the plane dimension of 58 m×44 m and the height of 76 m is employed. To verify the safety and stability of the middle pylon of Taizhou Bridge, a physics model with the scale of 1∶100 to the real structure is built up. The ultimate bearing capacity of the caisson foundation and the influence of sinking depth, soil moisture content, and the side wall friction on the bearing capacity are obtained.