Horizontal Impedance of Embedded Strip Foundations in Layered Soil

Abstract

This paper presents a detailed investigation of the influence of key mechanical and geometrical parameters on the dynamic horizontal stiffness of rigid strip foundations embedded in layered soil. Geometrical parameters include the depth of embedment, the thickness of the top soil layer, and the height of contact of foundation sidewalls with surrounding backfill soil. The influence of the relative shear wave velocities of the layers for a two‐layered soil profile is also investigated. The results are presented in the form of simple, versatile dimensionless graphs. The investigation was conducted using a rigorous algorithm of the boundary element method incorporating isoparametric boundary elements. Higher‐order quadratic elements were used because they can model accurately the wavy nature of the dynamic problem.