Seismic Bearing Capacity of a Footing on Sloping Frictional Soil

Abstract

This study presents the analysis of surficial strip footing on sloping frictional ground for an easy estimation of its seismic bearing capacity (by means of a seismic slope coefficient) to be used in conjunction with any other analytical solution provided for the static case. The influence of the slope angle and height, proximity of the slope to the crest, and value of the pseudo-static seismic coefficient is presented. A parametric study performed for the range of these geometrical and geotechnical parameters is conducted by the finite element method, also presenting the analysis of failure modes. The results are summarized in the form of non-dimensional charts that could be easily used for the estimation of the seismic bearing capacity by practitioners. An example of the application of charts is presented. It can be concluded that there is no influence of the sloping ground when the distance of the footing is greater than four times the width. For the horizontal seismic coefficients greater than 0.3 g, the shallow foundations should not be placed near the slope.