Title : Bearing capacity of free-rotating and restrained footings near slopes

Page : PP.1-10

Author(s) : Ching-Chuan Huang and Yue-Wen Chen

Keyword : Bearing capacity, Model test, load inclination, load eccentricity

Abstract : 

Loading tests on model horizontal grounds and slopes are performed using a 100-mm-wide strip footing with restrained and free-rotation conditions. Test results reveal that complete restraint against rotations on the footing generates larger values of ultimate bearing capacity and deeper failure surfaces than those for footings with a free-rotation condition. This is true for horizontal and slanted grounds with various slope angles. Test results also reveal that for a vertically loaded footing, a major factor that influences the ultimate bearing capacity of the footing (qu) is the load eccentricity (ec) at the footing base. The influence of load inclination on the values of qu for free-rotating and fixed footings is minor because the load inclination angles measured during the loading tests were negligibly small. In the case of a footing placed on a slanted ground, a load eccentric toward the heel of the footing is associated with a larger value of qu than that for a load eccentric toward the toe of the footing when subjected to similar extents of load eccentricity. This observation suggests that the currently used formula for correcting load eccentricity (ec) has to be updated in order to address the issue of increased qu induced by a load eccentricity toward the heel of the footing.

Full Text : [Download]