Vertical Response of Arbitrarily Shaped Embedded Foundations

Abstract

A simple method to compute the dynamic stiffnesses and damping coefficients of arbitrarily shaped rigid foundations embedded in a reasonably homogeneous and deep soil deposit and subjected to harmonic vertical excitation is developed. The method is based on an improved understanding of the physics of the problem, substantiated by the results of extensive, rigorous parametric studies, including several analytical results compiled from the literature. The results are applicable to both saturated and unsaturated soils, a variety of cross‐sectional shapes, and a wide range of embedment depths and types of contact between the vertical sidewalls and the surrounding soil. A numerical example illustrates the applicability of the method. It is also shown that the method constitutes a significant improvement over current practical procedures, such as the “equivalent circle” approximation.