Behaviours of Ring and Circular Footings Subjected to Eccentric Loading: a comparative Study

Abstract

This study experimentally examined the behaviours of ring and circular footings resting on loose sand overlying dense sand based on the application of eccentric loads with eccentricity values of 0, 4, 8, and 16 mm. Many researchers have examined the effects of concentrated loads on ring footings numerically; however, few studies have taken into account the effect of eccentric loads on ring footings on loose and dense sand, and even fewer have done so experimentally. This paper thus presents the experimental work done to understand and make comparisons between circular and ring footings under such circumstances. The results of the tests indicate that there is a significant increase in the bearing capacity and a decrease in the settlement of ring footings in comparison with circular footings under the same conditions. Further, ring footings offer approximately the same behaviours as circular footings with respect to eccentric loads. These results indicate that the use of ring footings rather than circular footing can provide improved structural performance at low cost.