Bearing Capacity of Slopes Under Strip Loads On The Top Surfaces

Abstract

ABSTRACT The bearing capacities of slopes loaded on top surfaces were calculated by using the upper bound theorem. Through the comparison of the results with bearing capacities obtained by conventional circular arc methods and by Kotter’s stress characteristics equations, it was concluded that the upper bound solution was useful from the engineering point of view because of simplicity of the method. Model tests using Kanto loam were conducted to check the validity of the upper bound calculation. It was shown that the agreement between the theory and the observation was generally good, although the theory yielded slightly higher values than those observed. The side friction in model tests and the difference in stress state between the tests and the computation were considered to be possible causes for the discrepancy. The lower bound analysis was also attempted, which showed that the upper bound solutions were good approximations of exact solutions for bearing capacities of loaded slopes. All the computed results were produced in charts for the convenience of design engineers.