<p>Piled-Raft Foundations (PRFs) are increasingly recognized for their effectiveness in enhancing load-bearing performance, particularly in granular soils where differential settlements pose a significant challenge. By integrating the benefits of both piles and rafts, PRFs promote more efficient load distribution and reduce total settlements. Despite their widespread use, the behavior of various PRF configurations, especially those incorporating inclined piles, remains insufficiently explored. This study undertakes a comprehensive experimental and numerical evaluation of PRFs in granular soils, focusing on four configurations: Unpiled Raft (UPR), Disconnected Piled-Raft (DPR), Vertical Piled-Raft (VPR), and Inclined Piled-Raft (IPR). Laboratory-scale models were subjected to controlled axial loading across varying relative densities to assess load-bearing performance and settlement behavior. These experiments were supported by 3D finite element simulations in Plaxis-3D, which were used to analyze internal responses such as axial forces, shear forces, bending moments, and displacements. Findings revealed that the VPR system improved load-bearing capacity by 32% over UPR, while the IPR configuration achieved an additional 34% enhancement relative to VPR. This superior performance of IPR was attributed to its broader load dispersion and increased passive soil resistance. Furthermore, IPR reduced settlement by up to 25%, performing consistently well in both dense and loose sand. Numerical results closely mirrored experimental trends, with Plaxis-3D predictions aligning within a 5–10% margin. Inclined piles offered more effective lateral restraint and higher settlement efficiency ratios than vertical piles, establishing the IPR system as the most favorable configuration for mitigating differential settlements and improving foundational stability.</p>