Abstract
The bearing capacity of ring footings on a rock mass is investigated by employing finite element limit analysis (FELA). The rock mass obeys the modified Hoek-Brown failure criterion and an associated flow rule. Based on the FELA method, the bearing capacity factor Nσ is computed and presented in the form of design tables and charts that account for the variation of the geological strength index (GSI), the intact rock constant (mi), and the ratio of internal radius to external radius of the footing (Ri/R0). Typical failure modes associated with these parameters are compared and discussed. In general, the magnitude of Nσ increases with increasing GSI and mi, while the unit weight has negligible effect on the bearing capacity factor. As the value of Ri/R0 increases, the bearing capacity factor first increases, then decreases, and reaches the maximum value at Ri/R0 = 0.25, indicating that Ri/R0 = 0.25 may be the optimum ratio of the ring footing. In addition, computations of strip footings on rock masses are conducted for verification.
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