Plastic response of circular footings on sand under general planar loading

Abstract

Data from a set of tests of model circular footings on dense sand are presented. The footings were subjected to a variety of combinations of vertical, horizontal and moment loading. The tests were designed to provide the information necessary to construct a complete model of the footing behaviour, based on the concepts of plasticity theory. In particular, the tests provide detailed information about the shape of the yield surface, and so allow generalization of bearing capacity calculations to cases other than purely vertical loading. Information is also obtained about the hardening law and flow rule appropriate for a plasticity model, and the elastic response within the yield surface.