Bearing Pressure of Granular Layer Overlying Compressible Normally Consolidated Ground

Abstract

Bearing capacity of foundations is estimated mostcommonly considering the soil strata as incompressibleand homogeneous. Bearing capacity of footings on compressible strata is governed not only by the strength parameters but also by the settlement of the soilsbeneath. Load-settlement response is nonlinear for footings resting on soft ground characterized by its compressibility.Naturally sedimented soils undergo variations in undrained strength with depth. Compressibility and heterogeneity of NC soil influence the bearing pressureas a function of settlement.The present study considers footing resting on medium-dense granular bed overlying compressible normally consolidated soil (GNC). Thenumerical study quantifiesthe effectsof heterogeneityand compressibility of NC soilsand granular layer thicknesson bearing pressure-settlement response of a circular footing on GNC soils.Results of the present study depict that bearing stress increases with rigidity and heterogeneity in NC soilandgranular layer thickness.The increments in bearing pressure with granular layer thickness and NC soil heterogeneity increase with footing settlement, whereas they decrease with the rigidity of NC soil. The influence of granular layer thickness on bearing pressure is more significant forgiven footing settlement when compared to that due to heterogeneity and rigidity of NC soil