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-streng..