ORCID

0009-0008-2362-9975

Keywords

barcelona basic model; soil suction; unsaturated soil; finite element modeling;

Abstract

The design of foundations is greatly influenced by its bearing capacity and settlement behavior, especially for that of shallow foundations which lie within the unsaturated zone of soil. Similarly, bearing capacity of beach sands can be utilized to determine beach trafficability, as vehicular loads may be assumed within the unsaturated zone. Therefore, similar scenarios should be analyzed as partially saturated conditions, unlike conventional bearing capacity estimations. To analyze such conditions, the concept of soil suction has more recently been of consideration. In this paper, the load-settlement behavior of a sand in partially saturated conditions is explored through finite element modelling using a modified version of the Barcelona Basic Model as implemented by PLAXIS2D on a simulated strip foundation in plane-strain. The resulting load-settlement behavior is observed and compared to conventional estimations of bearing capacity and a bearing capacity estimation with the inclusion of suction that has been implemented for analysis of beach trafficability. Results show that the inclusion of soil suction increased the estimation of bearing capacity, as compared to conventional estimations. Results of the finite element analysis in PLAXIS2D also follow the expected trend that the increase of soil suction, modelled by a lower groundwater level, concluded an increase in bearing capacity, with good agreement to the numerical calculation of bearing capacity with suction.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Fall

Committee Chair

Arboleda, Luis

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (M.S.C.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029033

Language

English

Release Date

12-15-2024

Access Status

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

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