Bearing capacity of shallow foundations on slopes: Experimental analysis on reduced scale models

Author(s):  
Ana Alencar ◽  
Rubén Galindo ◽  
Svetlana Melentijevic

AbstractThe presence of the groundwater level (GWL) at the rock mass may significantly affect the mechanical behavior, and consequently the bearing capacity. The water particularly modifies two aspects that influence the bearing capacity: the submerged unit weight and the overall geotechnical quality of the rock mass, because water circulation tends to clean and open the joints. This paper is a study of the influence groundwater level has on the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations on the rock mass. The calculations were developed using the finite difference method. The numerical results included three possible locations of groundwater level: at the foundation level, at a depth equal to a quarter of the footing width from the foundation level, and inexistent location. The analysis was based on a sensitivity study with four parameters: foundation width, rock mass type (mi), uniaxial compressive strength, and geological strength index. Included in the analysis was the influence of the self-weight of the material on the bearing capacity and the critical depth where the GWL no longer affected the bearing capacity. Finally, a simple approximation of the solution estimated in this study is suggested for practical purposes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahdi Hajitaheriha ◽  
Davood Akbarimehr ◽  
Amin Hasani Motlagh ◽  
Hossein Damerchilou

Author(s):  
M. A. Millán ◽  
R. Galindo ◽  
A. Alencar

AbstractCalculation of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on rock masses is usually addressed either using empirical equations, analytical solutions, or numerical models. While the empirical laws are limited to the particular conditions and local geology of the data and the application of analytical solutions is complex and limited by its simplified assumptions, numerical models offer a reliable solution for the task but require more computational effort. This research presents an artificial neural network (ANN) solution to predict the bearing capacity due to general shear failure more simply and straightforwardly, obtained from FLAC numerical calculations based on the Hoek and Brown criterion, reproducing more realistic configurations than those offered by empirical or analytical solutions. The inputs included in the proposed ANN are rock type, uniaxial compressive strength, geological strength index, foundation width, dilatancy, bidimensional or axisymmetric problem, the roughness of the foundation-rock contact, and consideration or not of the self-weight of the rock mass. The predictions from the ANN model are in very good agreement with the numerical results, proving that it can be successfully employed to provide a very accurate assessment of the bearing capacity in a simpler and more accessible way than the existing methods.


2014 ◽  
Vol 580-583 ◽  
pp. 1463-1466
Author(s):  
Yong Duo Liang ◽  
Xun Guo ◽  
Hua Wei Yi ◽  
Yong Zhen Li ◽  
Jin Zheng Jiang

Bottom-business multi-story masonry structure is widely used in small and middle towns in the southward in China. In the downtown of Beichuan county which affected by Wenchuan earthquake, more than 80% of this kind of building collapsed. But the Apartment of Beichuan Telecommunication Bureau behaved well earthquake resistant capacity with a moderate damage in the earthquake. The obvious difference between this building and others is the setting of winged columns in the front longitudinal wall of the first floor. For proving the influence of these members in the structure seismic capacity, the earthquake simulation shaking table test of 2 1/5 reduced scale models were designed and carried out. The models dynamic response, acceleration, displacement and strain were measured and collected, that model with winged columns behave well was testified. And the reinforcement method of balancing stiffness and increasing ductility is put forward. The results provide a foundation for the retrofitting design of the existing houses.


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