Abstract
The ultimate bearing capacity problem of rectangular surface footing over undrained clay with linearly increased strength is comprehensively analyzed with a numerical upper-bound method. For uniform soil, the present results are generally in accordance with available results and present the best upper-bound prediction when the three-dimensional effect is predominant. The obtained bearing capacity factor for nonhomogeneous soil decreases with the increase of width-length ratio, totally different from that of uniform soil. Accordingly, the shape factor also varies greatly with strength nonhomogeneity. Possible reasons are discussed based on the underlying velocity field. Finally, a strip footing based design equation considering such effect is proposed for the vertical bearing capacity of rectangular surface footings.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have