The calculation equations of soil-column area replacement ratio (m) recommended by Chinese code Technical Code for Ground Treatment of Buildings (JGJ79-2012) have many limits in the practice. In this document, general equations of m value are derived by subdividing the composite soil element under the different pile arrangements. The results show that m value is determined by the two parameters: interval number among piles (n) and pile diameter-spacing ratio (d/s). m value greatly decreases with the increase of d/s at the constant n, whereas m slightly decreases with the increase of n at the constant d/s, and the larger n, the smaller drop of m value. Under triangular pile arrangement, the Chinese code recommended equations can be used with less than 10 percent of error ratio of m value when the width of composite foundation is above 10 m, but the general equations should be applied when the width is below 10 m. Under square pile arrangement, the recommended equations can be used when the width of composite subgrade is above 15 m, but the general equations should be applied when the width is below 15 m. The general calculation equations of m value derived in this paper can provide certain reference for theoretical calculation and engineering application.