Ultimate bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded strip footings above voids in rock masses

Based on a self-developed adaptive finite element limit analysis (AFELA) code and generalized Hoek-Brown (GHB) failure criterion, the footing-void system subjected to eccentric load in rock masses is investigated. The research emphasis of this study is on quantifying the effect of the load eccentricity and voids on the ultimate bearing capacity of footings. Predictions of footing ultimate bearing capacity can be captured by the scope enclosed by upper bound (UB) results and lower bound (LB) results within 5% relative errors. All of independent variables including the void location, the void size, the void length-width ratio and the rock strength parameters are involved in parametric study in pairs. Furthermore, typical failure patterns which can cover nearly all cases are discussed for deeper insight into how the stability evolving with variations of above-mentioned variables.