Bearing Capacity Factors for Rough Conical Footing by Viscoplasticity Finite-Element Analysis
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 1
Abstract
Many researchers have computed the bearing capacity of the strip and circular footings resting on the soil with the low and medium friction angle (ϕ ≤ 35°) by employing the finite-element method (FEM). It is reported that the numerical instability occurs with the high value of ϕ. Thus, based on the suggested values of soil dilation angle (ψ) in this study, the numerical computation can be achieved for all ϕ. Therefore, this paper presents the computation of the vertical bearing capacity factors Nc, Nq, and Nγ of a rough conical footing placed on the soil with friction angle ranging from ϕ = 5° to 45° by using the FE-based viscoplastic strain method under the Mohr–Coulomb (MC) yield criterion. The numerical simulations are solved using in-house MATLAB codes. The effects of the cone apex angle (β) and ϕ on the bearing capacity are examined thoroughly by the computation of factors individually and compared with the available solutions. The current solutions are found to be in good agreement for Nc, Nq, Nγ values; however, the discrepancies are also observed and presented. Therefore, the bearing capacity factor charts are established, and, consequently, the ultimate load of the footing can be determined by using the superposition assumption in Terzaghi’s equation.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS with the financial support of the YUTP Grant having the cost center of 0153AA-E88. Finally, Phuor Ty would like to especially thank his wife, Yin Lochsolida, and his son, Phuor Sopearith, who have provided great support to this work.
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International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 1 • January 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Apr 30, 2021
Accepted: Sep 23, 2021
Published online: Nov 10, 2021
Published in print: Jan 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Apr 10, 2022
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