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Estimating Bearing Capacity of Strip Footings over Two-Layered Sandy Soils Using the Characteristic Lines Method

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Abstract

A study on the bearing capacity of strip footings over sandy-layered soils has been conducted using the stress characteristic lines method. Traditional bearing capacity theories for specifying the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations are based on the idea that the bearing layer is homogenous and infinite. In practice, layered soils are mainly being used. The stress characteristic lines method is a powerful numerical tool that can solve stability problems in geotechnical engineering. In the present paper, an appropriate algorithm is derived for estimating the static bearing capacity of strip footing located on two-layered soils using the stress characteristic lines method. Numerical and experimental examples are presented, to validate the proposed algorithm. Graphs and equations illustrate the effective depth of strip footings located on two-layered soils. If the friction angles of the top and bottom layers are 30° and 35°, respectively, the depth effect of the top layer is estimated to be 0.76 of the foundation’s width.

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Notes

  1. Bearing Capacity of Two Layer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Lotfizadeh

  2. International Geotechnical Engineering Research Center, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), No. 21, Arghavan Street, North Dibajee, Farmanieh, Tehran, Iran

    Mohsen Kamalian

Authors
  1. Mohammad Reza Lotfizadeh
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  2. Mohsen Kamalian
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Correspondence to Mohsen Kamalian.

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Lotfizadeh, M.R., Kamalian, M. Estimating Bearing Capacity of Strip Footings over Two-Layered Sandy Soils Using the Characteristic Lines Method. Int. J. Civ. Eng. 14, 107–116 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-016-0015-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40999-016-0015-4

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