An accessible calculation method of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on anisotropic rock masses

Numerical modeling of the bearing capacity of foundations on rock masses having a high degree of anisotropy needs to represent, in most cases, a large number of discontinuities, thus making the numerical analysis difficult and, in most cases, unapproachable. In this research, a simplified numerical procedure by using the Discontinuity Layout Optimization method (DLO) which proves to be appropriate when studying the limit bearing capacity of foundations involving slip line formation and failure wedges is presented. A single discontinuity simplified procedure is proposed maintaining the accuracy of the full model. The isolated discontinuity is located in the proper position and has the correct slope to represent the whole family of discontinuities. DLO models using the proposed procedure can represent the different possible failure mechanisms that may occur in the rock mass. Besides, the ultimate bearing capacity of a particular case is checked against the available analytical solution.

Automated summary

A simplified numerical procedure using the Discontinuity Layout Optimization method is proposed in this research for modeling the bearing capacity of foundations on rock masses with high anisotropy. By locating and designing a single discontinuity, this procedure can represent the entire family of discontinuities and check for various possible failure mechanisms in the rock mass.