Comparative Study of Bearing Capacity of Shallow Strip Foundation Near

Slope Under Static and Seismic Condition Using Plaxis 2D

Nirgun Sherchan
Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Engineering

Abstract:
The bearing capacity of the foundation is primary concern in the field of foundation
engineering.Although the various studies has been made on the bearing capacity of foundation
on flat as well as near slope under static condition but the consideration of all influential
parameters to the bearing capacity of shallow strip foundation near slopes under seismic
condition are limited. These influences includes footing width, slope angle, slope height,footing
position, embeddment depth, undrained shear strength and pseudostatic cofficient (only
horiontal).As the number of parameters to be considered is high, a parametric study is conducted
using FEM model using plaxis 2D software. It has been expected that the seismic bearing
capacity factors reduce considerably with the increase of horizontal seismic coefficient. In
addition, the magnitude of bearing capacity factors decreases further with increase in slope
inclination and increase with the embedment and the distance of slope crest from the beginning
of loading.

Keywords: Bearing Capacity, Shallow Strip Foundation, Slope, Earthquake, Numerical

Analysis

Introduction:
Foundation is media or interface structure to transfer the load from superstructure to earth
ground. Nepal being mountainous country with varying topography and slope, the foundation
on slopes is inevitable. Design of foundation on or near slope requires consideration of various
parameters and the ignorance of such parameters or faulty design can cause serious damages to
the structure or may result foundation failure and overall instability of slope. Geometry of slope
like height of slope, inclination of slope, setback of footing from crest of slope and
characteristics of soil and proximity of structure of slope affect load that a soil can carry, the
load usually reduces than in case of flat ground. Further take in account of effect of seismic load
on the footing near slope is great challenge for an engineer to design.

Throughout the history of the foundation, design and construction of foundation near a slope
has been problem for many engineers. Thus it has been the subject of numerous studies.
Although various researcher like Meyerhof (1963), Hansen (1970), Vesic (1973) has developed
theories of estimating the load capacity of shallow foundations near slope but study of behavior
of soil during earthquake on the bearing capacity of footing near slope are rarely found. When a
foundation is designed for or near slope, various design parameters like geometry of footing,
embedment depth, eccentricity and inclination are introduced that are often difficult to evaluate
thus making the design process complex and drawn out. To overcome these design difficulties
and time issues, past studies have proposed design charts to easily evaluate the capacity of soil
structure under foundation loading. The analysis of the seismic bearing Capacity problem by a
pseudo-static approach. An earthquake has two possible effects on a soil-foundation system.
One is to increase the driving forces. The other is to reduce the shearing resistance of the soil.
The reduction in the shearing resistance of a soil occurs only when the magnitude of the
earthquake exceeds a certain limit and the ground conditions are favorable for such a reduction.
But here, only the reduction of the bearing capacity factors due to the increase in driving forces
is investigated under seismic loading conditions.In this study, investigation of the seismic
bearing capacity of footing near slope is paramount focus for different horizontal acceleration
using finite element analysis and the comparing with the static case.
Finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method for solving a differential or integral
equation. It has been applied to a number of physical problems, where the governing differential
equations are available. The method is versatile tool as many parameters affecting the seismic
bearing capacity of foundation can be considered at a time without any assumption made.

Objectives:

 To construct FE model representing the problem using Plaxis 2D.

 To study the effect of slope near foundation on the bearing capacity factor.
 To study the effect of pseudo static seismic force on soil structure and bearing capacity of
foundation.
 Parametric study of bearing capacity factor under static and seismic condition

Literature review:
Meyerhof (1957) first Studied the effect of slope on the bearing capacity of soil and presented
on the charts. Later on extended by Hansen (1970), Vesic (1973), Kasukabe ( 1981), etc.
Graham et al. (1988) provided a solution for the bearing capacity factor for a shallow
continuous foundation on the top of a slope in granular soil based on the method of stress
characteristics.
Saran et al. (1989) provided an analytical solution to obtain the bearing capacity of foundation
adjacent to slopes using both limit equilibrium and limit analysis approaches considering one
sided failure along slope and presented the results in the form of non-dimensional charts.
Sarma and Chen (1996) used limit equilibrium method to estimate the seismic
bearing capacity factors for strip footing near sloping ground, considering the most critical
failure mechanism which was found by trial and error.
Kumar and Roa (2003) The effect of pseudo-static horizontal earthquake body forces on the
bearing capacity of foundations on sloping ground has been assessed using the method of stress
characteristics. Two failure mechanisms were considered, based on the extension of the
characteristics from the ground surface towards the footing base from either one side or both
sides.
Choudhury and Rao (2006) used limit equilibrium method to obtain the seismic bearing capacity
factors for shallow strip foundation embedded in sloping ground with c-φ soil using Pseudo
static approach.
Castelli et. al (2010) developed a model based on the limit equilibrium method, considering a
circular surface propagates towards the slope until the sloping ground is reached. The bearing
capacity is investigated considering either the distance of the footing from the edge of the slope
and/or the effect of the footing embedment.
Georgiadis (2010) used the finite element analysis based on limit equilibrium or upper bound
plasticity calculations to investigate the influence of the various parameters that affect undrained
bearing capacity of strip footings on or near undrained soil slopes. The results of analysis were
presented in the form of design charts
Yamamoto (2010) used the pseudo-static approach to estimate the seismic bearing capacity
factors of spread and embedded foundations near slopes with the help of design charts. The
upper-bound method of limit analysis was employed and a non-symmetrical failure mechanism
was considered.
Shiau et al. (2011) used the finite-element limit analysis method to obtain both lower and upper
bound bearing capacity for strip footings placed on purely cohesive slopes.
Numerical Analysis:
Plane strain elasto plastic finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted by using the commercial
program PLAXIS 2D. PLAXIS can address a wide range of geotechnical problems, such as deep
excavations, foundation, tunnels, and earth structures (for example, retaining walls and slopes).
The geometry of the finite element soil model adopted for the analysis as shown in figure. The
soil domain was discretized with 15-noded plane strain triangular elements. The strip footing of
width 2m was approximated. The footing was modeled as plain strain model. Fig. 1 shows the
geometry model of strip footing of width 2m resting on saturated cohesive (clayey) soil.

Fig.1 Geometry model of shallow strip footing resting on cohesive soil

 Fig 2. Typical mesh shape for numerical analysis
The properties of soil and footing properties used in the analysis are shown in Table 1 and Table
2 respectively. The footing was elasto-plastic and isometric in behavior. The various factors
chosen for parametric study are revealed in Table 3
Various parameters considered for analysis are
 Slope geometry
 Height of slope
 Inclination of slope
 Distance of footing from the edge of slope
 Depth of embedment
 Seismic coefficient only horizontal
 Cohesion
 Drainage condition-undrained

Table 1. Soil properties for present study

Properties Clayey soil
Unsaturated unit weight (kN/m3) 20
Cohesion c (kN/m2) 100
Poison’s ratio μ 0.45
Young’s modulus E 20000
Material model Mohr coulomb
Types of material model Undrained
Table 2 Footing properties

Properties Clayey soil

Width of footing m 2
Normal Stiffness (EA) kN/m) 1.5 x 107
Flexural Rigidity (EI) kN/m 3.13 x 105
Equivalent thickness (d) m 0.5
Poisson’s Ratio µ 0.15
Weight kN/mm 12.5

Table 3 Factors for parametric study

Case Value
b/B ratio 0, 1, 2,3,4
H/B ratio 2, 4, 6
Β 30, 45, 60
Kh 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3

Result and Discussion:

A) Static case
In the present study, the height of the slope, width and depth of the shallow foundation (strip
footing), and slope parameter ie., slope angle are kept constant, distance of the foundation
from the edge of the slope is varied and the ultimate bearing capacity is estimated for shallow
foundation. Result shows that influence of slope effect decreases as the footing position
increases from crest of footing i.e ultimate bearing capacity value obtained as if footing
placed on flat ground.

i) Influence of inclination of slope

From the analysis for different slope angle, the slope stability decreases with increasing the
slope angle, and thus the tendency of the soil beneath the foundation to move to the slope
increases, therefore failure occurs due to the slope instability and reduces the bearing
capacity.

ii) Influence of normalized slope height (H/B)

The Influence of dimensionless normalized parameter of H/B on the bearing capacity
was investigated by fixing the foundation width value (B) and changing the slope height
(H). With increasing the foundation height, slope stability decreases and the soil beneath the
foundation tends to move to the slope, therefore the bearing capacity decreases.
 Fig 3. Typical deformed mesh

B) Seismic case

For different proportion of geometry of slope and different soil strength parameter, seismic
bearing capacity factor with normalized distance of footing from crest are analysis along with
the different seismic horizontal coefficient. The result shows that influence of slope on the
ultimate bearing capacity becomes more prominent while taking account of earthquake load.

Fig 4 Seismic bearing capacity factor with increase of distance of footing from crest of slope
along with different horizontal seismic coefficient. (cinicioglu O, 2018)
Conclusions:
Numerical investigations were performed to study the strip foundation behaviour near the
slope. Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion considered for the soil beneath the foundation. Based
on performed analyses, the following conclusions are drawn:
 The lowest bearing capacity value was observed in the case that the foundation is located
at the slope crest (b/B=0).
 By increasing the distance of the foundation from the slope crest, behaviour of the
foundation on sloped ground tend to behaviour of the foundation on level ground and the
bearing capacity increases.
 Slope stability decreases with increasing the slope angle, and thus the tendency of the soil
beneath the foundation to move to the slope increases, therefore failure occurs due to the
slope instability and reduces the bearing capacity.
 Bearing capacity decreses as the horizontal seismic cofficient increases

References:
Bowles, J. E. (1996). Foundation analysis and design (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Castelli, F.,and Motta, E. (2010). Bearing capacity of strip footings near slopes. Geotechnical
and Geological Engineering, 28(2), 187-198.
Choudhury, D., and Subba Rao, K. S. (2006). Seismic Bearing Capacity of Shallow Strip
Footings Embedded in Slope. International Journal of Geomechanics, 6(3),176-184.
Meyerhof, G.G. (1957). The ultimate bearing capacity of foundations on slopes. 4th
international Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering,3, 384-386.
Saran, S., Sud, V. and Handa, S. (1989), Bearing Capacity of Footings Adjacent to Slopes, J.
Geotech. Engg., ASCE, 115(4), 553–573.
Sarma, S.K. & Chen, Y.C. (1996), Bearing Capacity of Strip Footing near Sloping Ground
During Earthquake, in Proc. XIth WCEE, Acapulco, Mexico, Paper No. 2078.
Shiau, J., Merifield, R., Lyamin, A. and Sloan, S. (2011), Undrained Stability of Footings on
Slopes, Int. J. Geomech., ASCE, 11(5), 381–390.
Terzaghi, K. (1943). Theoretical Soil Mechanics. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Vesic, A. S. (1973). Analysis of Ultimate loads of shallow foundations. Journal of the Soil
Mechanics and Foundation Division,99(sm1), 43-73.
Yamamoto, K. (2010), Seismic Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations near Slopes using
the Upper-Bound Method, Int. J. Geotech. Engg., 4(2), 255-267.
Georgiadis, k. (2010). Undrained bearing capacity of strip footing on slopes. J Geotech
Geoenviron, 136(5):677-85.
Graham, J., Andrews, M. and Shields, D.H. (1988), Stress Characteristics for Shallow
Footings in Cohesionless Slope, Can. Geotech. J., 25(2), 238-249.
Hansen, J.B. (1970). A revised and extended formula for bearing capacity. Geoteknisk inst.,
Bulletin 28, 5-11.
Kumar, J., and Rao, M. (2003). Seismic bearing capacity of foundation on slopes.
Geotechnique,53(3),347-61.
Kasukabe, O.,Kimura, T. and Yamaguchi, H. (1981). "Bearing capacity of slopes under strip
loads on the top surfaces". Soils and Foundations, Vol.21,No.4, 29-40.
Meyerhof, G.G. (1957). The ultimate bearing capacity of foundations on slopes. 4th
international Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering,3, 384-386.
Saran, S., Sud, V. and Handa, S. (1989), Bearing Capacity of Footings Adjacent to Slopes, J.
Geotech. Engg., ASCE, 115(4), 553–573.
Sarma, S.K. & Chen, Y.C. (1996), Bearing Capacity of Strip Footing near Sloping Ground
During Earthquake, in Proc. XIth WCEE, Acapulco, Mexico, Paper No. 2078.
Shiau, J., Merifield, R., Lyamin, A. and Sloan, S. (2011), Undrained Stability of Footings on
Slopes, Int. J. Geomech., ASCE, 11(5), 381–390.
Terzaghi, K. (1943). Theoretical Soil Mechanics. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Vesic, A. S. (1973). Analysis of Ultimate loads of shallow foundations. Journal of the Soil
Mechanics and Foundation Division,99(sm1), 43-73.
Yamamoto, K. (2010), Seismic Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations near Slopes using
the Upper-Bound Method, Int. J. Geotech. Engg., 4(2), 255-267.
Meyerhof, G.G. (1957). The ultimate bearing capacity of foundations on slopes. 4th
international Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering,3, 384-386.
Saran, S., Sud, V. and Handa, S. (1989), Bearing Capacity of Footings Adjacent to Slopes, J.
Geotech. Engg., ASCE, 115(4), 553–573.
Sarma, S.K. & Chen, Y.C. (1996), Bearing Capacity of Strip Footing near Sloping Ground
During Earthquake, in Proc. XIth WCEE, Acapulco, Mexico, Paper No. 2078.
Shiau, J., Merifield, R., Lyamin, A. and Sloan, S. (2011), Undrained Stability of Footings on
Slopes, Int. J. Geomech., ASCE, 11(5), 381–390.
Terzaghi, K. (1943). Theoretical Soil Mechanics. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Vesic, A. S. (1973). Analysis of Ultimate loads of shallow foundations. Journal of the Soil
Mechanics and Foundation Division,99(sm1), 43-73.
Yamamoto, K. (2010), Seismic Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations near Slopes using
the Upper-Bound Method, Int. J. Geotech. Engg., 4(2), 255-267.