FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS FOR ECCENTRIC INCLINED LOADS

Abstract

A foundation engineer frequently comes across the problems of foundations subjected to eccentric-inclined loads e.g. foundations of retaining walls, abutments, columns of framed buildings, etc. The criteria for the satisfactory action of such foundations are their ultimate bearing capacity, permissible settlement, tilt and horizontal displacement. A study has been made to investigate the complete behaviour of shallow foundations under the action of Central Vertical loading, Central Inclined loading, Eccentric vertical loading and Eccentric inclined loading. An analytical work has been carried out which includes finite element analysis of footings subjected to above mentioned four loading conditions considering the elasto-plastic behaviour of soil of different yield criteria. Elasto-plastic analysis was carried out using Drucker Prager yield criterion. A parametric study was carried out for the following parametric values. Width to footing (B= 1000mm), Depth to width ratio, (Df/B = 0.0, 1.0) Eccentricity to width ratio (e/B = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) and Load inclination with Vertical (i=0 0,10 ° and 20 °) The ANSYS software which has been used for elasto-plastic finite element analysis has the capability to find pressure- settlement, pressure-horizontal displacement and pressure- tilt characteristics of shallow foundations subjected to eccentric inclined loads and resting on soil possessing some cohesion.