Three-Dimensional Bearing Capacity Analysis of Foundations by Use of A Method of Slices

Abstract

ABSTRACT A three-dimensional (3D) analysis of bearing capacity of square and rectangular footings is presented by means of a slice method, assuming that sliding surfaces are composed of a set of log-spirals with different initial radii in the direction of the longer axis of the footing base. Discussions are first made on some fundamental aspects of 3D solutions, such as the effect of the number of soil columns on the accuracy of solution, the extent of 3D sliding surfaces, and the differences among solutions obtained by various slice methods. Bearing capacity factors are then calculated to investigate the effects of the ratio L/B of footing and the angle of internal friction and the accuracy of the superposition involved in the conventional bearing capacity formula. The values of shape factors obtained by the present 3D solutions are also compared with experimental and empirical formulae.