Abstract

The unified strength theory can account for the influence of intermediate principal stress using a specified parameter b, with which the determination of the values and influences of b is significant. In this research, a physical model test was carried out in combination with the numerical simulations to explore the effect of b on a sand foundation loaded by a shallow strip footing. Variation of parameter b would produce significant effect on the deformation characteristics, stress response, failure model, as well as bearing capacity of the sand foundation. In general, a larger b could be adopted to yield smaller magnitudes of stress. The calculated ultimate bearing capacity Pult increases linearly with increase in b, and an increment of 470% can be obtained using b = 1.0 relative to b = 0.0. The comparison of the bearing capacities of physical model test and numerical simulation suggests that b = 0.89–0.99 is the appropriate value for the experimental sand foundation, that ultimately results in a capacity increase in 420%–465% relative to the result of Mohr–Coulomb failure law.

Highlights

  • The function of the foundation is to transfer the load of the structure to the soil on which it is resting, and a properly designed foundation is the precondition of safety for the structure

  • To study the distribution characteristics of deformation, stresses, and failure zone of the foundation and determine the bearing capacity, we considered a physical model test of a sand foundation acted by a shallow strip footing

  • The selection of appropriate parameter b for the sand foundation was used in combination with the physical experiment model and numerical simulations to determine its influence on the sand foundation that supported a strip footing under loading

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Summary

Introduction

The function of the foundation is to transfer the load of the structure to the soil on which it is resting, and a properly designed foundation is the precondition of safety for the structure. To study the distribution characteristics of deformation, stresses, and failure zone of the foundation and determine the bearing capacity, we considered a physical model test of a sand foundation acted by a shallow strip footing. Based on the relationships of load P versus settlement curve of the test, the ultimate bearing capacity of the experimental model was comprehensively analyzed to be in the range of 485–535 kPa, which is consistent with the simulated result using b = 0.89–0.99, and shows an increase in 420%–465% compared to the results of b = 0.00.

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