Gravel piles are widely used in engineering, and their bearing capacity is an important indicator for evaluating the performance of gravel pile projects. Based on the cavity expansion theory, the calculation formula of bearing capacity of single gravel pile is derived by introducing the extended Lade-Duncan failure criterion, and considering the superimposed effect of stress expansion, the calculation formula of bearing capacity of single gravel pile under square layout scheme is derived. The laboratory scale model test shows that the maximum swelling depth of stone column is about twice the depth of pile diameter, which provides a basis for theoretical calculation. Finally, the proposed calculation method is compared and verified by field tests and existing research results. The results show that: The calculation results of the existing bearing capacity calculation formula of the crushed stone column are conservative, and the bearing capacity obtained by introducing the calculation formula of the extended Lade-Duncan failure criterion is closer to the measured value. This study can provide reference for related engineering and research.