Bearing capacity of foundations on slopes

Abstract

By applying the lower bound finite element limit analysis in conjunction with non-linear optimisation, the bearing capacity factors, N_c, N_q and N_γ, due to the components of cohesion, surcharge and unit weight, respectively, have been estimated for a horizontal strip footing placed along a sloping ground surface. The variation of N_c, N_q and N_γ with changes in slope angle (β) for different soil friction angle (φ) have been computed for smooth as well as rough strip footings. The analysis reveals that along a sloping ground surface, in addition to N_γ, the factors N_c and N_q also vary considerably with changes in footing roughness. Compared to the smooth footing, the extent of the plastic zone around the footing becomes greater for the rough footing. The results obtained from the analysis are found to compare well with those previously reported in literature.

Keywords:

• bearing capacity
• slope
• limit analysis
• plasticity
• nonlinear optimisation