Numerical Investigation of Scale Effect of Shallow Footings

Abstract

This study is focused on the scale effect investigation in shallow footings rested on clay and sand soils. Three dimensional numerical analyses were performed using circular, square and strip footings with different sizes. Mohr Coulomb and hardening soil models were used to simulate clay and sand behaviour, respectively. Before conducting the analyses, validity of the constitutive models was proved using laboratory and field test results performed by authors. Finally, the results obtained from the analyses were compared with the classical bearing capacity equations from the relevant literature. It is seen that there is no clear effect of footing size on N-gamma when footing rested on clay soils, but N-gamma is dependent on width of footing overlying sand soils.