Bearing capacity of strip footing on rock under inclined and eccentric load using the generalized Hoek-Brown criterion

Abstract

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations on rocks under inclined and eccentric loads is investigated using the kinematic approach of limit analysis theory. The study focuses on evaluating the reduction of bearing capacity induced by the eccentricity and the inclination of the load with respect to the vertical direction. The generalized Hoek and Brown criterion is adopted to describe the strength properties of the rock. A failure mechanism is used to implement the kinematic approach of limit analysis. This study provides an upper bound of the bearing capacity of the strip footing. Comparisons were made between the results of this approach and those obtained using finite element limit analysis. These comparisons confirm the accuracy of the proposed approach. Finally, a parametric study was carried out, which evaluated the effects of geometric, strength and loading parameters on the bearing capacity of the strip footing.