The novel pile with ram-compacted bearing sphere, composed of a concrete pile body and a bearing sphere, is characterized by high bearing capacity and low cost. It is important to confirm the equivalent size of the bearing sphere reasonably for the calculation of the vertical bearing capacity of a single novel pile. Based on the summary of the construction techniques and load-carrying mechanism, the research status of the vertical bearing performance, uplift bearing performance and settlement calculation methods for the single pile with ram-compacted bearing sphere was introduced, the problems of setting an appropriate value for the bearing sphere equivalent area, the determination of geometric parameters of the influenced section when calculating the uplift bearing capacity and settlement were analyzed. And then research suggestions were put forward as follows: comprehensively determining the bearing sphere equivalent size from multiple perspectives, strengthening the connection between the pile shaft and bearing sphere and carrying out the bearing capacity performance tests under dynamic load.