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2. The function of the foundation is to transmit the load from the superstructure to the soil or rock below the foundation.
Shallow Foundations
Foundation structures are customarily divided into shallow or deep on the basis of their depth in relation to their width, the typical divide being the unit value for the ratio (Df/B), that is, Df/B<1 for shallow foundations and Df/B > 1 for deep foundations. The real difference between shallow and deep foundations is based on the structural response as well as the depth to which the foundation is taken. Bending (flexure) is the predominant structural action in the case of shallow foundations. The behaviour of deep foundations could result in axial and lateral loads besides bending moments and torsional moments. The deep foundationsoil interaction needs a detailed analysis.
In the conventional design of footings, the soil pressure is assumed to be uniform or linearly varying depending upon whether the foundation supports symmetric or eccentric loading.
In general, foundations are not perfectly flexible and are embedded at a certain depth below the ground surface. If the foundation is subjected to a uniformly distributed load, the contact pressure will be uniform and the foundation will experience a sagging profile.
If we consider a perfectly rigid foundation resting on the ground surface subjected to a uniformly distributed load, the contact pressure and foundation settlement profile will be as shown in Figure: the foundation will undergo a uniform settlement and the contact pressure will be redistributed.
Additionally, there is a lack of lateral confinement on the edge of the foundation at the ground surface. The sand at the edge of a flexible foundation is pushed outward, and the deflection curve of the foundation takes a concave downward shape. The edges of the foundation will undergo a larger settlement than the center.
A rigid foundation resting on a sand layer will settle uniformly. The contact pressure on the foundation will increase from zero at the edge to a maximum at the center, as shown in Figure.
Hence the assumption of uniform pressure distribution results in a slightly unsafe design for rigid footings on clays as the maximum bending moment at the center is underestimated.
It will give a conservative design for rigid footings on sandy soils as the maximum bending moment is overestimated.
Winkler (1867)
The earliest use of these "springs" to represent the interaction between soil and foundation was done by Winkler in 1867; the model is thus referred to as the Winkler method The one-dimensional representation of this is a "beam on elastic foundation," thus sometimes it is called the "beam on elastic foundation" method Mat foundations represent a application of the Winkler method two-dimensional
Winkler Model
Winkler Model
Winklers idealization represents the soil medium as a system of identical but mutually independent, closely spaced, discrete, linearly elastic springs. According to this idealization, deformation of foundation due to applied load is confined to loaded regions only. Figure shows the physical representation of the Winkler foundation. The pressuredeflection relation at any point is given by p = kw, where k = modulus of subgrade reaction.
Winkler Model
Winkler, assumed the foundation model to consist of closely spaced independent linear springs. If such a foundation is subjected to a partially distributed surface loading, q, the springs will not be affected beyond the loaded region.
Winkler Model
For such a situation, an actual foundation is observed to have the surface deformation as shown in Figure. Hence by comparing the behaviour of theoretical model and actual foundation, it can be seen that this model essentially suffers from a complete lack of continuity in the supporting medium. The load deflection equation for this case can be written as p = kw
Winkler Models
Since the subgrade stiffness is the only parameter in the Winkler model to idealize the physical behaviour of the subgrade, care must be taken to determine it numerically to use in a practical problem. Modulus of subgrade reaction or the coefficient of subgrade reaction k is the ratio between the pressure p at any given point of the surface of contact and the settlement y produced by the load at that point:
However, the basic limitations of Winkler hypothesis lies in the fact that this model cannot account for the dispersion of the load over a gradually increasing influence area with increase in depth. Moreover, it considers linear stressstrain behaviour of soil.
The most serious demerit of Winkler model is the one pertaining to the independence of the springs. So the effect of the externally applied load gets localized to the subgrade only to the point of its application. This implies no cohesive bond exists among the particles comprising soil medium. Hence, several attempts have been made to develop modified models to overcome these bottlenecks.
Two Parameter Elastic Models The deficiency of the Winkler's Model in describing the continuous behavior of real soil masses and the mathematical complexities of the elastic continuum has lead to the development of many other simple soil behaviour models. These models posses some of the characteristics features of continuous elastic solids. The term "Two Parameter signifies that the model is defined by two independent elastic constant.
Concentrated Load
Rigid Load
Hence, the interaction of the spring elements is characterized by the intensity of the tension T in the membrane.
Hetenyis Model
This model suggested in the literature can be regarded as a fair compromise between two extreme approaches (viz., Winkler foundation and isotropic continuum). In this model, the interaction among the discrete springs is accomplished by incorporating an elastic beam or an elastic plate, which undergoes flexural deformation only
Hetenyis Model
Pasternak Model
In this model, existence of shear interaction among the spring elements is assumed which is accomplished by connecting the ends of the springs to a beam or plate that only undergoes transverse shear deformation. The loaddeflection relationship is obtained by considering the vertical equilibrium of a shear layer.
Pasternak Model
Pasternak Model
The continuity in this model is characterized by the consideration of the shear layer. A comparison of this model with that of FilonenkoBorodich implies their physical equivalency (T has been replaced by G).
Kerr Model
A shear layer is introduced in the Winkler foundation and the spring constants above and below this layer is assumed to be different as per this formulation. The following figure shows the physical representation of this mechanical model. The governing differential Fig. 4. Hetenyi foundation [30]. equation for this model may be expressed as follows.
Kerr Model
The governing differential equation for this model may be expressed as follows.