Evaluation of Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Using Random Field Theory in Comparison to Classic Methods

Abstract

The classical methods dealing with the calculation of bearing capacity such as limit equilibrium and slip line method satisfy the theoretical requirements partially leading to different solutions depending on the adopted method. However, the problem with such methods of analysis is that they disregard the real variation of constitutive parameters by adopting a homogeneous analysis. It has now been appreciated that geomaterials exhibit considerable heterogeneity consisting of lithological and inherent variation. This leads to a deviation from an ideal homogeneous assumption. The current study highlights the importance of spatial variation in bearing capacity analyses by using random field theory. For this aim, random field theory in connection with Monte-Carlo simulations is adopted to evaluate the bearing capacity of a spatially variable soil layer. In the present study, the undrained shear strength is considered as the stochastic parameter and assumed to be log-normally distributed and spatially correlated throughout the domain. Finally, the results will be compared with those of classic methods in which, only, the deterministic variation is considered.

Variables Characteristics Effects on Static and Pseudo-Static Reliability-Based Design of Near Slope Shallow Foundations

“…The types of analyses can be either practical reliability-based computations and applications as included in Phoon [4], or stochastic analysis using finite elements or other numerical methods [5,6,7,8]. Applications covered may range from complex liquefaction analysis [4] to those in retaining wall design [9], shallow foundation design and analysis [10,11,12,13], slope analysis [2,14], using random field theory for geotechnical problems analysis [15], and tunneling problems design [16].…”