Undrained Bearing Capacity of Square and Rectangular Footings
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 6, Issue 3
Abstract
The uniaxial vertical bearing capacity of square and rectangular footings resting on homogeneous undrained clay is investigated with finite element analyses, using both Tresca and von Mises soil models. Results are compared with predictions from conventional bearing capacity theory and available analytical and numerical solutions. By calibrating the finite element results against known exact solutions, best estimates of bearing capacity for rough-based rectangular footings are derived, with the shape factor fitted by a simple quadratic function of the footing aspect ratio. For a square footing, the bearing capacity is approximately 5% lower than that based on Skempton’s shape factor of 1.2.
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Acknowledgments
The work described here forms part of the activities of the Special Research Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, established and supported under the Australian Research Council’s Research Centres Program. This support is gratefully acknowledged.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 6 • Issue 3 • May 2006
Pages: 147 - 157
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jan 31, 2005
Accepted: Apr 28, 2005
Published online: May 1, 2006
Published in print: May 2006
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