A variational method for predicting the settlement of a foundation resting on a soil reinforced by columns
AbstractPredicting the settlement of a foundation raft resting upon a soil reinforced by columns, requires being able to evaluate its apparent stiffness modulus which characterizes its global response. Adopting linear elasticity as a framework for the constitutive behaviour of the reinforced soil constituents, and making use of the minimum complementary energy principle, results in determining a lower bound estimate for the apparent stiffness modulus, that is an upper bound estimate for the foundation settlement subject to a prescribed load. It is shown in particular that the implementation of such a principle based on piecewise continuous stress fields, makes it possible to significantly improve the simplified estimate derived from the « law of mixtures ». The obtained results are illustrated in terms of convenient engineering design charts on the basis of which an optimal choice for the replacement ratio can be achieved.
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