Calculations of Bearing Capacity Factor Using Numerical Limit Analyses
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Volume 129, Issue 5
Abstract
This paper presents numerical upper- and lower-bound solutions for the well-known bearing capacity factor of a surface strip footing on a frictional soil. The analyses use linear programming and finite-element spatial discretization to solve limit analysis of perfect plasticity, assuming a linear Mohr-Coulomb failure envelope with associated flow within the soil and along the soil-footing interface. The current analyses are to bound the exact value of within ±5% increasing to ±30% as the internal friction angle increases from 5° to 45° for both smooth and rough interface conditions. Previous solutions by Hansen and Christensen in 1969 and Booker in 1969 are in excellent agreement with the best estimate of (average of upper and lower bounds) obtained from the current numerical limit analyses. Other well-known analytical solutions and numerical calculations appear to overestimate for rough footings. Comparisons of predicted upper-bound failure mechanisms and lower-bound contact pressures help to explain similarities and differences among these solutions.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 129 • Issue 5 • May 2003
Pages: 468 - 474
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 21, 2000
Accepted: Sep 10, 2002
Published online: Apr 15, 2003
Published in print: May 2003
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