Impact of Transient Infiltration on the Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Obliquely and Eccentrically Loaded Strip Footings on Partially Saturated Soils
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23, Issue 2
Abstract
Soils above the groundwater table and near the ground surface are often partially saturated, and the changes in the degree of saturation and matric suction caused by infiltration may have substantial effects on the stability of geotechnical systems. This work evaluates the significant effect of transient flow on the ultimate bearing capacity of strip footings founded on unsaturated soils under the simultaneous actions of vertical and horizontal loads and moment using the lower-bound theorems of the finite-element limit analysis and the incorporation of second-order cone programming. The unified effective stress theory is incorporated into the soil yield function to model the partially saturated state, and the closed-form solution for one-dimensional transient flow is adopted so as to evaluate the tempo-spatial variations of suction stress. For both sand and clay underlying soils, it is found that the increase of infiltration time leads to a notable decrease of the size of the normalized failure envelopes for either obliquely or eccentrically loaded shallow foundations. The impact of transient flow on the ultimate bearing capacity of surface footings is also observed to be greater for clay soils as compared with sand deposits due to the significant contribution of higher induced suction stress.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
Afsharpour, S., M. Payan, R. Jamshidi Chenari, H. Ahmadi, H. Fathipour. 2022. “Bearing capacity of strip footings on unsaturated soils under combined loading using LEM.” Geomech. Eng. 31 (2): 223–235. https://doi.org/10.12989/gae.2022.31.2.000.
Bahmani Tajani, S., H. Fathipour, M. Payan, R., Jamshidi Chenari, and K. Senetakis. 2022. “Temperature-dependent lateral earth pressures in partially saturated backfills.” Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng.
Bishop, A. W. 1959. “The principle of effective stress.” Teknisk Ukeblad 39: 859–863.
Blake, J. R., J.-P. Renaud, M. G. Anderson, and S. R. Hencher. 2003. “Prediction of rainfall-induced transient water pressure head behind a retaining wall using a high-resolution finite element model.” Comput. Geotech. 30 (6): 431–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0266-352X(03)00055-7.
Chirico, G. B., M. Borga, P. Tarolli, R. Rigon, and F. Preti. 2013. “Role of vegetation on slope stability under transient unsaturated conditions.” Procedia Environ. Sci. 19: 932–941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2013.06.103.
Dastpak, P., S. Abrishami, S. Sharifi, and A. Tabaroei. 2020. “Experimental study on the behavior of eccentrically loaded circular footing model resting on reinforced sand.” Geotext. Geomembr. 48 (5): 647–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geotexmem.2020.03.009.
De Lima, J. L. M. P., and V. P. Singh. 2002. “The influence of the pattern of moving rainstorms on overland flow.” Adv. Water Resour. 25 (7): 817–828. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1708(02)00067-2.
Di Matteo, L., D. Valigi, and R. Ricco. 2013. “Laboratory shear strength parameters of cohesive soils: Variability and potential effects on slope stability.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 72 (1): 101–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0459-6.
Fathipour, H., M. Payan, and R. Jamshidi Chenari. 2021a. “Limit analysis of lateral earth pressure on geosynthetic-reinforced retaining structures using finite element and second-order cone programming.” Comput. Geotech. 134: 104119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104119.
Fathipour, H., M. Payan, R. Jamshidi Chenari, and B. Fatahi. 2022a. “General failure envelope of eccentrically and obliquely loaded strip footings resting on an inherently anisotropic granular medium.” Comput. Geotech. 146: 104734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.104734.
Fathipour, H., M. Payan, R. Jamshidi Chenari, and K. Senetakis. 2021b. “Lower bound analysis of modified pseudo-dynamic lateral earth pressures for retaining wall-backfill system with depth-varying damping using FEM-Second order cone programming.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 45 (16): 2371–2387. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.3269.
Fathipour, H., S. B. Tajani, M. Payan, R. J. Chenari, and K. Senetakis. 2022c. “Influence of transient flow during infiltration and isotropic/anisotropic matric suction on the passive/active lateral earth pressures of partially saturated soils.” Eng. Geol. 106883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106883.
Fathipour, H., M. Payan, A. Safardoost Siahmazgi, R. J. Chenari, and K. Senetakis. 2022b. “Numerical study on the bearing capacity of strip footing resting on partially saturated soil subjected to combined vertical-horizontal-moment loading.” Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2022.2080769.
Fathipour, H., A. Safardoost Siahmazgi, M. Payan, and R. Jamshidi Chenari. 2020. “Evaluation of the lateral earth pressure in unsaturated soils with finite element limit analysis using second-order cone programming.” Comput. Geotech. 125: 103587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103587.
Fathipour, H., A. Safardoost Siahmazgi, M. Payan, M. Veiskarami, and R. Jamshidi Chenari. 2021c. “Limit analysis of modified pseudodynamic lateral earth pressure in anisotropic frictional medium using finite-element and second-order cone programming.” Int. J. Geomech. 21 (2): 04020258. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001924.
Gardner, W. R. 1958. “Some steady-state solutions of the unsaturated moisture flow equation with application to evaporation from a water table.” Soil Sci. 85 (4): 228–232. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-195804000-00006.
Godt, J. W., B. Şener-Kaya, N. Lu, and R. L. Baum. 2012. “Stability of infinite slopes under transient partially saturated seepage conditions.” Water Resour. Res. 48 (5).
Hansen, J. 1970. “A revised and extended formula for bearing capacity.” Dan. Geotech. Inst. Bull. 28: 5–11.
Houston, S. L. 2019. “It is time to use unsaturated soil mechanics in routine geotechnical engineering practice.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 145 (5): 02519001. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0002044.
Huang, M., and C.-Q. Jia. 2009. “Strength reduction FEM in stability analysis of soil slopes subjected to transient unsaturated seepage.” Comput. Geotech. 36 (1–2): 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2008.03.006.
Jin, L., H. Zhang, and Q. Feng. 2021a. “Ultimate bearing capacity of strip footing on sands under inclined loading based on improved radial movement optimization.” Eng. Optim. 53 (2): 277–299. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305215X.2020.1717483.
Jin, L., H. Zhang, C. Luo, and Q. Feng. 2021b. “The implementation of improved radial movement optimization to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of strip footing on unsaturated soil under inclined loading.” Arabian J. Geosci. 14 (17): 1–13.
Keawsawasvong, S., and B. Ukritchon. 2016. “Finite element limit analysis of pullout capacity of planar caissons in clay.” Comput. Geotech. 75: 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.01.015.
Krabbenhoft, S., L. Damkilde, and K. Krabbenhoft. 2012. “Lower-bound calculations of the bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded footings in cohesionless soil.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (3): 298–310. https://doi.org/10.1139/t11-103.
Krabbenhoft, S., L. Damkilde, and K. Krabbenhoft. 2014. “Bearing capacity of strip footings in cohesionless soil subject to eccentric and inclined loads.” Int. J. Geomech. 14 (3): 04014003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000332.
Leong, E. C., H. Rahardjo, and D. G. Fredlund. 2001. “Application of unsaturated soil mechanics in geotechnical engineering.” In Proc., 8th East Asian Pacific Conf. on Structural Engineering and Construction. Singapore: Nanyang Technological University.
Li, L., N. Ju, C. He, C. Li, and D. Sheng. 2020. “A computationally efficient system for assessing near-real-time instability of regional unsaturated soil slopes under rainfall.” Landslides 17 (4): 893–911. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01307-3.
Li, Z.-W., and X.-L. Yang. 2020. “Three-dimensional active earth pressure under transient unsaturated flow conditions.” Comput. Geotech. 123: 103559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103559.
Liu, K., P. J. Vardon, M. A. Hicks, and P. Arnold. 2017. “Combined effect of hysteresis and heterogeneity on the stability of an embankment under transient seepage.” Eng. Geol. 219: 140–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2016.11.011.
Loukidis, D., T. Chakraborty, and R. Salgado. 2008. “Bearing capacity of strip footings on purely frictional soil under eccentric and inclined loads.” Can. Geotech. J. 45 (6): 768–787. https://doi.org/10.1139/T08-015.
Lu, N., and J. W. Godt. 2013. Hillslope hydrology and stability. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Lu, N., J. W. Godt, and D. T. Wu. 2010. “A closed-form equation for effective stress in unsaturated soil.” Water Resour. Res. 46 (5). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009WR008646.
Lu, N., and W. J. Likos. 2006. “Suction stress characteristic curve for unsaturated soil.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 132 (2): 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2006)132:2(131).
Lyamin, A. V., and S. W. Sloan. 2002. “Upper bound limit analysis using linear finite elements and non-linear programming.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 26 (2): 181–216. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.198.
Meyerhof, G. 1953. “The bearing capacity of foundations under eccentric and inclined loads.” In Vol. 1 of Proc., 3rd Int. Conf. on SMFE, 440–445. Zurich, Switzerland: Organizing Committee, ICOSOMEF.
Meyerhof, G. G. 1963. “Some recent research on the bearing capacity of foundations.” Can. Geotech. J. 1 (1): 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1139/t63-003.
Ng, C. W. W., A. K. Leung, R. Yu, and V. Kamchoom. 2017. “Hydrological effects of live Poles on transient seepage in an unsaturated soil slope: Centrifuge and numerical study.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 143 (3): 04016106. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001616.
Ng, C. W. W., B. Wang, and Y. K. Tung. 2001. “Three-dimensional numerical investigations of groundwater responses in an unsaturated slope subjected to various rainfall patterns.” Can. Geotech. J. 38 (5): 1049–1062. https://doi.org/10.1139/t01-057.
Ng, C. W. W., L. T. Zhan, C. G. Bao, D. G. Fredlund, and B. W. Gong. 2003. “Performance of an unsaturated expansive soil slope subjected to artificial rainfall infiltration.” Géotechnique 53 (2): 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2003.53.2.143.
Nouzari, M. A., R. Jamshidi Chenari, M. Payan, and F. Pishgar. 2021. “Pseudo-static seismic bearing capacity of shallow foundations in unsaturated soils employing limit equilibrium method.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 39 (2): 943–956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-020-01535-8.
Nova, R., and L. Montrasio. 1991. “Settlements of shallow foundations on sand.” Géotechnique 41 (2): 243–256. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.1991.41.2.243.
Ouyang, Z., and P. W. Mayne. 2018. “Effective friction angle of clays and silts from piezocone penetration tests.” Can. Geotech. J. 55 (9): 1230–1247. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0451.
Özişik, M. N. 1980. Heat conduction. Chichester, UK: Wiley.
Payan, M., H. Fathipour, M. Hosseini, R. J. Chenari, and J. S. Shiau. 2022. “Lower bound finite element limit analysis of geo-structures with non-associated flow rule.” Comput. Geotech. 147: 104803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2022.104803.
Pham, K., D. Kim, H.-J. Choi, I.-M. Lee, and H. Choi. 2018. “A numerical framework for infinite slope stability analysis under transient unsaturated seepage conditions.” Eng. Geol. 243: 36–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.05.021.
Pham, Q. N., S. Ohtsuka, K. Isobe, and Y. Fukumoto. 2020. “Limit load space of rigid footing under eccentrically inclined load.” Soils Found. 60 (4): 811–824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2020.05.004.
Rahardjo, H., E. C. Leong, and R. B. Rezaur. 2008. “Effect of antecedent rainfall on pore-water pressure distribution characteristics in residual soil slopes under tropical rainfall.” Hydrol. Processes 22 (4): 506–523. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.6880.
Rahardjo, H., X. W. Li, D. G. Toll, and E. C. Leong. 2001. “The effect of antecedent rainfall on slope stability.” In Unsaturated soil concepts and their application in geotechnical practice, edited by D. G. Toll, 371–399. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer.
Rahimi, A., H. Rahardjo, and E.-C. Leong. 2011. “Effect of antecedent rainfall patterns on rainfall-induced slope failure.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 137: 483–491. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000451.
Safardoost Siahmazgi, A., H. Fathipour, R. Jamshidi Chenari, M. Veiskarami, and M. Payan. 2022. “Evaluation of the pseudo-dynamic bearing capacity of surface footings on cohesionless soils using finite element lower bound limit analysis.” Geomech. Geoeng. 17 (3): 765–777. https://doi.org/10.1080/17486025.2021.1889686.
Salgado, R., A. V. Lyamin, S. W. Sloan, and H. S. Yu. 2004. “Two- and three-dimensional bearing capacity of foundations in clay.” Géotechnique 54 (5): 297–306. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2004.54.5.297.
Shahrokhabadi, S., F. Vahedifard, E. Ghazanfari, and M. Foroutan. 2019. “Earth pressure profiles in unsaturated soils under transient flow.” Eng. Geol. 260: 105218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105218.
Sloan, S. W. 1988. “Lower bound limit analysis using finite elements and linear programming.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 12 (1): 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.1610120105.
Sloan, S. W. 1989. “Upper bound limit analysis using finite elements and linear programming.” Int. J. Numer. Anal. Methods Geomech. 13 (3): 263–282. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.1610130304.
Sloan, S. W. 2013. “Geotechnical stability analysis.” Géotechnique 63 (7): 531–571. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.12.RL.001.
Srivastava, R., and T.-C. J. Yeh. 1991. “Analytical solutions for one-dimensional, transient infiltration toward the water table in homogeneous and layered soils.” Water Resour. Res. 27 (5): 753–762. https://doi.org/10.1029/90WR02772.
Taiebat, H. A., and J. P. Carter. 2000. “Numerical studies of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on cohesive soil subjected to combined loading.” Géotechnique 50 (4): 409–418. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.2000.50.4.409.
Tang, C., K.-K. Phoon, and K.-C. Toh. 2015. “Effect of footing width on Nγ and failure envelope of eccentrically and obliquely loaded strip footings on sand.” Can. Geotech. J. 52 (6): 694–707. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2013-0378.
Tang, G., J. Huang, D. Sheng, and S. W. Sloan. 2018. “Stability analysis of unsaturated soil slopes under random rainfall patterns.” Eng. Geol. 245: 322–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.09.013.
Tang, Y., H. A. Taiebat, and A. R. Russell. 2017. “Bearing capacity of shallow foundations in unsaturated soil considering hydraulic hysteresis and three drainage conditions.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (6): 04016142. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000845.
Terzaghi, K. 1943. Theoretical soil mechanics. New York: Wiley.
Tsai, T.-L., and J.-K. Wang. 2011. “Examination of influences of rainfall patterns on shallow landslides due to dissipation of matric suction.” Environ. Earth Sci. 63 (1): 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0669-1.
Ukritchon, B., A. J. Whittle, and C. Klangvijit. 2003. “Calculations of bearing capacity factor N γ using numerical limit analyses.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 129 (5): 468–474. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(2003)129:6(468).
Ukritchon, B., A. J. Whittle, and S. W. Sloan. 1998. “Undrained limit analyses for combined loading of strip footings on clay.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 124 (3): 265–276. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1090-0241(1998)124:3(265).
Ukritchon, B., S. Yoang, and S. Keawsawasvong. 2018. “Bearing capacity of shallow foundations in clay with linear increase in strength and adhesion factor.” Mar. Georesour. Geotechnol. 36 (4): 438–451. https://doi.org/10.1080/1064119X.2017.1326991.
Vahedifard, F., B. A. Leshchinsky, K. Mortezaei, and N. Lu. 2015. “Active earth pressures for unsaturated retaining structures.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 141 (11): 04015048. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001356.
Vahedifard, F., and J. D. Robinson. 2016. “Unified method for estimating the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations in variably saturated soils under steady flow.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 142 (4): 04015095. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001445.
Veiskarami, M., R. Jamshidi Chenari, and A. A. Jameei. 2017. “Bearing capacity of strip footings on anisotropic soils by the finite elements and linear programming.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (12): 04017119. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001018.
Vesic, A. S. 1975. “Bearing capacity of shallow foundations.” In Foundation engineering handbook, edited by H. F. Winterkorn, and H.-Y. Fang. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Wang, Y., and O. V. Akeju. 2016. “Quantifying the cross-correlation between effective cohesion and friction angle of soil from limited site-specific data.” Soils Found. 56 (6): 1055–1070. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sandf.2016.11.009.
Wu, G., R. Zhang, M. Zhao, and S. Zhou. 2020. “Undrained stability analysis of eccentrically loaded strip footing lying on layered slope by finite element limit analysis.” Comput. Geotech. 123: 103600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103600.
Wuttke, F., B. Kafle, Y. Lins, and T. Schanz. 2013. “Macroelement for statically loaded shallow strip foundation resting on unsaturated soil.” Int. J. Geomech. 13 (5): 557–564. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000254.
Yahia-Cherif, H., A. Mabrouki, D. Benmeddour, and M. Mellas. 2017. “Bearing capacity of embedded strip footings on cohesionless soil under vertical and horizontal loads.” Geotech. Geol. Eng. 35 (2): 547–558. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-016-0124-5.
Yuan, S., and J. Du. 2018. “Effective stress-based upper bound limit analysis of unsaturated soils using the weak form quadrature element method.” Comput. Geotech. 98: 172–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.02.008.
Yuan, S., and J. Du. 2020. “A lower-bound formulation for unsaturated soils.” Géotechnique 70 (2): 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.18.P.103.
Zhan, T. L. T., C. W. W. Ng, and D. G. Fredlund. 2007. “Field study of rainfall infiltration into a grassed unsaturated expansive soil slope.” Can. Geotech. J. 44 (4): 392–408. https://doi.org/10.1139/t07-001.
Zheng, G., J. Zhao, H. Zhou, and T. Zhang. 2019. “Ultimate bearing capacity of strip footings on sand overlying clay under inclined loading.” Comput. Geotech. 106: 266–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2018.11.003.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 23 • Issue 2 • February 2023
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 11, 2021
Accepted: Sep 14, 2022
Published online: Nov 22, 2022
Published in print: Feb 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Apr 22, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Clays
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamic loads
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Finite element method
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Foundation design
- Foundations
- Geomechanics
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydrologic engineering
- Load bearing capacity
- Methodology (by type)
- Numerical methods
- Saturated soils
- Soft soils
- Soil analysis
- Soil dynamics
- Soil mechanics
- Soil properties
- Soil suction
- Soils (by type)
- Solid mechanics
- Structural dynamics
- Transient flow
- Transient loads
- Water and water resources
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Hessam Fathipour, Meghdad Payan, Seismic Bearing Capacity of Eccentrically and Obliquely Loaded Strip Footings on Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil, International Journal of Geomechanics, 10.1061/IJGNAI.GMENG-8316, 23, 6, (2023).
- Sabina Pourghaffar Maghferati, Reza Jamshidi Chenari, Seyed Hamid Lajevardi, Meghdad Payan, Seyed Mohammad Mirhosseini, Seismic combined bearing capacity of strip footings on partially saturated soils using lower bound theorem of finite element limit analysis and second-order cone programming, Computers and Geotechnics, 10.1016/j.compgeo.2023.105327, 157, (105327), (2023).
- Hessam Fathipour, Amirhossein Safardoost Siahmazgi, Meghdad Payan, Reza Jamshidi Chenari, Mehdi Veiskarami, Evaluation of the Active and Passive Pseudo-dynamic Earth Pressures using Finite Element Limit Analysis and Second-order Cone Programming, Geotechnical and Geological Engineering, 10.1007/s10706-023-02381-0, (2023).
- Hessam Fathipour, Shahla Bahmani Tajani, Meghdad Payan, Reza Jamshidi Chenari, Kostas Senetakis, Influence of transient flow during infiltration and isotropic/anisotropic matric suction on the passive/active lateral earth pressures of partially saturated soils, Engineering Geology, 10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106883, 310, (106883), (2022).