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Abstract

The accurate prediction of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on granular soils has been complicated by their stress dependent strength behavior and the surface roughness of the foundationsoil interface. These are accounted for using empirical relations in the current state of practice. In this study, the stress dependent behavior of soils is accounted for using a strength dilatancy relationship. The method of slip line has been extended to incorporate this relationship and the effects of surface roughness to derive the depth dependent bearing capacity factor Nq. The results are presented in terms of angle of friction, depth/diameter ratio, and the effect of surface roughness of the wedge/cone. Extended method of slip line has also been carried out in order to evaluate the stress dependent strength behavior of soil. The results have been compared with centrifuge test results and the comparison result shows that the variable −φ type of analysis together with the provision of soil compressibility could lead to realistic estimates of bearing capacity of foundations having depth shallower than the critical depth.

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