Upper Bound Solution for Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Foundation Based on Unified Strength Theory

Abstract

Based on unified strength theory, an upper bound solution for bearing capacity of foundation is established considering the strength of soil above the basement by using Prandtl slip model. The proposed method could be degenerated to classical slip-line method in some certain situations. A series of results could be presented by means of changing the parameters of unified strength theory. The results obtained by this proposed method are greater than those by Terzaghi method, which is mainly because the positive effects of soil strength above foundation base. Since unified strength theory could be simplified to Mohr-Coulomb strength theory in a certain situation, the results are close to those obtained by Meyerhof method. This proposed solution can consider the effects of intermediate principal stress so that we can make full use of the potential capacity of soil, which is a rigorous upper-bound solution. Other solutions are special cases of this proposed solution.