Evaluation of Vertical Bearing Capacity for Bucket and Shallow Foundations Installed in Sand

Abstract

:The vertical bearing capacity of a bucket foundation installed in sand can be calculated as sum of the skin friction and end bearing capacity. However, the current design equations are not considering the non-associated flow characteristics of sand and the reduction in the skin friction and increase in the end bearing capacity when the vertical load is applied. In this study, we perform two-dimensional axisymmetric finite element analyses following non-associated flow rule and calculate the vertical bearing capacity of circular bucket foundation of various sizes installed in sand of different friction angles. After calculating the skin friction and end bearing force at the ultimate state, design equations are derived for each. The skin friction of bucket foundation is shown significantly small compared to the end bearing capacity. Considering the difference with the available design equation for piles, it is recommended that the equation for piles is used for the bucket foundation. A new shape-depth factor (sq･dq) for bucket foundation is recommended which also accounts for the increment of the end bearing capacity due to skin friction. Additionally, the shape and depth factor of embedded foundation proposed from the associated flow rule can overestimate the bearing capacity in sand, so it is more adequate to use the shape-depth factor proposed in this study.