Simplified Method for the Lateral, Rotational, and Torsional Static Stiffness of Circular Footings on a Nonhomogeneous Elastic Half-Space Based on a Work-Equivalent Framework

Abstract

Although there are many methods for assessing the vertical stiffness of footings on the ground, simplified solutions to evaluate the lateral, rotational, and torsional static stiffness are much more limited, particularly for non-homogeneous profiles of shear modulus with depth. This paper addresses the topic by introducing a novel 'work-equivalent' framework to develop new simplified design methods for estimating the stiffnesses of footings under multiple degrees-of-freedom loading for general non-homogeneous soils. Furthermore, this framework provides a unified basis to analyze two existing design methods that have diverging results. Three-dimensional finite element analyses were carried out to investigate the soil-footing interaction for a range of continuously varying and multilayered non-homogeneous soils and to validate the new design approach.

Assessment of Bayesian Changepoint Detection Methods for Soil Layering Identification Using Cone Penetration Test Data

“…Identifying soil layering involves determining the number of layers and their thickness. Accurately identifying soil layering is crucial for designing foundations such as surface footings [1,2], piles [3][4][5][6], and suction caissons [7][8][9][10], as it would significantly affect engineering performance such as foundation stiffness [11]. This process is commonly achieved through a manual and often time-consuming interpretation of in situ site investigation measurements using techniques such as borehole sampling and cone penetration testing (CPT).…”