Ultimate bearing capacity of rock masses under square and rectangular footings

Abstract

This paper investigates the ultimate bearing capacity of Hoek-Brown rock masses under square and rectangular footings using three dimensional finite element analyses. Analyses were conducted for different dimensions of footings and also for various rock mass properties.The results obtained show that the bearing capacity increases with increasing rock mass Hoek-Brown parameters. Furthermore, by increasing dimensions of the footings, total tolerable load will increase. It is also concluded that in the case of square and rectangular footings, three dimensional bearing capacity analyses should be performed, while the existing two dimensional methods result in over estimation of the bearing capacity.