An　innovative　foundation　solution,　namely,　the　large　step-tapered　hollow　pile,　is　presented.　The　pile　uses　large　and　stepped　cross-sections,　thereby　involving　significant　skin　friction,　and　is　hollow　inside　to　reduce　the　self-weight　and　construction　cost.　The　pile　is　recognized　as　a　desirable　foundation　solution　where　the　underlying　layers　are　problematic,　and　the　upper　overlying　layers　must　bear　major　loads.　The　pile　is　employed　to　bear　the　load　of　an　overpass　bridge　in　a　karst　area.　The　pile-soil　interactions　are　examined　and　modeled　in　terms　of　time-dependent　creep.　A　load-transfer　model　based　on　the　disturbed　state　concept　is　developed　and　implemented　to　numerical　simulations.　Parametric　studies　on　pile　geometry　and　pile-soil　properties　are　conducted　to　optimize　the　pile　design.　©　2023,　Springer　Science+Business　Media,　LLC,　part　of　Springer　Nature.