Stochastic Bearing Capacity and Failure Mechanism of Footings Placed Adjacent to Slopes considering the Anisotropic Spatial Variability of the Clay Undrained Strength

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the anisotropic variability in soil on the failure mechanism and the ultimate bearing capacity of foundations that are placed near slopes. A random adaptive finite-element limit analysis (RAFELA) with anisotropic random field modeling and the Monte Carlo simulation technique are combined. The stochastic ultimate bearing capacity for various undrained shear strengths, slope angles, normalized slope heights, distances from the slope crest, and horizontal and vertical correlation distances are analyzed. The quantitative identification and characterization of failure mechanisms, which are determined by the failure slip and passive wedge contribution, are achieved through the digital image processing of realizations from anisotropic random soil. This study showcases the diverse failure mechanisms and sliding surface sizes that arise from distinct soil patterns, which are influenced by alterations in slope geometry and soil anisotropic spatial variability. The quantitative findings highlight that alterations in failure mechanisms and slip surface sizes lead to heightened failure probabilities and significant variations in bearing capacity.