Digital solutions in the determination of bearing capacity for straight and stepped mat foundations on sloping ground

Abstract

On sloped sites where a mat foundation is to be used, because of the limited bearing capacity of the ground, it is necessary to cut into the sloped surface to provide a level base for the mat foundation. To reduce the amount of excavation and backfill a stepped mat may be used down the slope. Traditionally, determining the bearing capacity values for spread foundations on sloping ground has been a complex and time-consuming process. Several factors must be considered, including various variables (soil type, soil profile, slope angle and geometrical configuration of the infrastructure). The digital solution used in this study involves the use of advanced software that takes into account various input parameters and performs complex calculations to determine the bearing capacity of the foundation on horizontal and sloped ground. For this research, the analyses were done for three different slope angles (β = 5°, 10°, 15°) and a comparison is made between the bearing capacity of the ground for straight and stepped mat foundations using both analytical methods and finite element method.