Influence of groundwater on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations

2005 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 663-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Ausilio ◽  
Enrico Conte
Keyword(s):  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Water Table ◽  
Limit Analysis ◽  
Parametric Study ◽  
Shallow Foundations ◽  
Simple Approximation ◽  
Capacity Limit ◽  
Strip Footings ◽  
Analytical Expressions ◽  
Kinematic Approach

In this paper, the kinematic approach of limit analysis is used to analyse the influence of groundwater on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Analytical expressions are derived allowing the bearing capacity of strip footings resting on a soil where the water table is at some depth below the footing base to be calculated. Results from these expressions are compared with those obtained using other theoretical solutions available in literature. Moreover, a parametric study is carried out to illustrate the effects on bearing capacity of submergence of the soil below the footing. The importance of these effects is discussed, and remarks are also made on the results provided by some simplified methods that are currently used in practice. Finally, a simple approximation of the theoretical solution derived in this study is suggested for practical purposes.Key words: bearing capacity, limit analysis, groundwater, strip footings.

Upper bound to bearing capacity of layered soils

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 730-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoni Florkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Limit State ◽  
Layered Soils ◽  
Flat Punch ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Capacity Limit ◽  
Strip Footings ◽  
Kinematical Approach ◽  
Layered Half Space

An approach to the problem of flat punch indentation into the Mohr-Coulomb layered half-space has been developed, based on the kinematical approach of limit analysis. A kinematically admissible plane-strain failure mechanism for a typical two-layer system is presented. The ultimate bearing capacity for strip footings obtained from the proposed approach compares well with the experimental data available in the literature. Key words: bearing capacity, limit state analysis, layered soil, strip footings.

Bearing capacity of strip footings on sand over clay

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 699-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyednima Salimi Eshkevari ◽  
Andrew J. Abbo ◽  
George Kouretzis
Keyword(s):  
Bearing Capacity ◽  
Finite Thickness ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Shallow Foundations ◽  
Sand Layer ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Capacity Model ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Undrained Strength ◽  
Strip Footings

Estimation of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on layered soil profiles, such as a sand layer of finite thickness over clay, is mainly based on empirical models resulting from the interpretation of experimental test results. While it is generally accepted that such models may be applicable to soil properties and footing geometries outside the range tested experimentally, they offer limited insights on how the assumed failure mechanism affects their range of application. In particular, the contribution of the sand layer to the overall capacity is accounted for via simple considerations, which are valid only for a specific range of problem parameters. This paper addresses the estimation of the undrained bearing capacity of a rigid strip footing resting on the surface of a sand layer of finite thickness overlying clay, using finite element limit analysis (FELA). The rigorous upper and lower bound theorems of plasticity are employed to bracket the true bearing capacity of the footing, and identify the geometry of possible failure mechanisms. Insights gained from FELA simulations are used to develop a new simple bearing capacity model, which captures the variation in shear resistance from the sand layer with the dimensionless undrained strength of the clay layer. The proposed model provides results that are in close agreement with published experimental studies, and allows treating simple problems, such as the design of working platforms, without having to resort to numerical simulations.

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