Effect of Eccentric Load on the Undrained Bearing Capacity of Strip Footings above Voids

Abstract

This study employed finite element limit analysis (FELA) to investigate the influence of eccentric loads on the bearing capacity of footings above single and double continuous voids. Upper bound theorem (UB), lower bound theorem (LB), and adaptive meshing techniques were used in a parametric study to investigate the influence of some factors, including the relative distance between double voids, the depth of voids, the geometry of voids, the variation of soil shear strength, and the eccentricity of loadings on the bearing capacity of footings. The results indicated that, for the footings inclined above a single void, the bearing capacity with a void located on the same side of the eccentric load was less than that in an opposite position. In addition, the failure mechanisms were summarized and analyzed in this study.