Uniaxial Capacities of Skirted Circular Foundations in Clay

Abstract

Results of finite-element analyses calculating the undrained capacities of skirted circular foundations under uniaxial vertical, horizontal, and moment loading are presented. Parallel finite-element analyses using both the Tresca failure criterion and the modified cam clay (MCC) model are reported. The variations in capacity are presented as functions of embedment and soil-strength heterogeneity as a series of graphs. Closed-form formulas of uniaxial capacities are also provided. To account for the complexity in the results, a novel method of separating the contributions of soil above and beneath the skirt tip and for the constant and linearly varying components of the undrained shear-strength profile is outlined. This method can be used to estimate the undrained ultimate uniaxial capacity factors of skirted circular foundations in clay for any given embedment ratio and strength heterogeneity. Its versatility is also shown through validation against previously published embedded strip footing data. The results provide both equations for engineers to use in design and a database that can be used in future research to calculate and express the consolidated undrained capacity under combined loading.