Stability of eccentrically loaded footings on slopes

Abstract

The stability of eccentrically loaded strip footings on slopes was investigated using the method of finite element analysis based on the theory of elasto-plasticity. The analysis was done for two different soils involving three levels of slope angle, six footing locations, and two levels of load eccentricity plus central vertical loading. The strip footing analysed was a 3-ft (0.9 m) wide reinforced concrete footing embedded to a depth of 3 ft (0.9 m). The analysis focused on footing settlement, plastic yielding of soil, and ultimate bearing capacity. The results of analysis show that the influence of load eccentricity on footing pressure vs. footing centre settlement is negligibly small. However, the progressive soil yielding and ultimate bearing capacity are greatly affected by load eccentricity. Furthermore, the effect of load eccentricity differs considerably with the load location relative to the footing centre and slope crest. The ultimate bearing capacity for the eccentric load located on the slope side is significantly greater than that for the load located on the other side of the footing centre. For a 2(H): 1(V) slope in silty clay, the effect of slope on footing stability decreases with increasing footing location from slope crest as would be expected, and diminishes when the footing is located from the crest at about 5-times the footing width.

Keywords:

• slope
• strip footing
• eccentric load
• finite element analysis