<p>In reality, foundations are subject to complex loading scenarios, imposing unprecedented geotechnical challenges to new infrastructure development and its interaction with existing structures. So far, to alleviate the pressing destructive effects so as to ensure the stability of engineering works and comprehend the intricate soil–structure interaction, a number of experimental, numerical and analytical studies have been carried out on the load-settlement behaviour of traditional shallow and pile foundations that are of great assistance to the state-of-the-art design and construction decision-making process. Currently, however, interest in piled rafts has seen a swift increase in light of economic performance-based design methods. The present article aims to systematically collate and discuss the findings on the response of both connected and unconnected piled-raft foundations having dissimilar piles within the realm of the applied active (an applied vertical, lateral, eccentric and bending moment loading) and passive loadings (hidden loads impinged by soil displacements induced by foundation pit and tunnel excavations, surcharge and GWT fluctuation and matric suction), as well as a dynamic loading. Emphasis is placed on the load-carrying mechanism and load-settlement interaction aspects among the load-bearing components. Most comparisons of findings are presented in nondimensional parameters for convenience. Finally, it outlines the constraints and identifies potential avenues for further study and future partnerships, including serving as a tool for back analysis interpretation from probabilistic point of view.</p>