Bearing capacity of conical footings on Hoek–Brown rock masses using finite element limit analysis

Abstract

New plastic solutions for the bearing capacity factors of conical footings on rock masses obeying the Hoek–Brown yield criterion are presented in the paper by using the lower and upper bound finite element limit analysis. A conical footing has a cone apex angle and is penetrated into a rock mass. The considered dimensionless parameters include the cone apex angle, the yield parameter, and the geological strength index of a rock mass, where the effects of these dimensionless parameters on the bearing capacity factor are compressively investigated. The collapse mechanisms of conical footings on rock masses are examined and discussed in the paper.