• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.541-564
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• 2013

In this study, artificial neural networks (ANNs) were used to predict the settlement of pad footings on cohesionless soils based on standard penetration test. To achieve this, a computer programme was developed to calculate the settlement of pad footings from five traditional methods. The footing geometry (length and width), the footing embedment depth, $D_f$, the bulk unit weight, ${\gamma}$, of the cohesionless soil, the footing applied pressure, Q, and corrected standard penetration test, $N_{cor}$, varied during the settlement analyses and the settlement value of each footing was calculated for each method. Then, an ANN model was developed for each traditional method to predict the settlement by using the results of the analyses. The settlement values predicted from the ANN model were compared with the settlement values calculated from the traditional method for each method. The predicted values were found to be quite close to the calculated values. It has been demonstrated that the ANN models developed can be used as an accurate and quick tool at the preliminary designing stage of pad footings on cohesionless soils without a need to perform any manual work such as using tables or charts. Sensitivity analyses were also performed to examine the relative importance of the factors affecting settlement prediction. According to the analyses, for each traditional method, $N_{cor}$ is found to be the most important parameter while ${\gamma}$ is found to be the least important parameter.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.255-267
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• 2017

Soft clay strata can suffer significant settlement or stability problems under building loads. Among the methods proposed to strengthen weak soils is the application of a stone masonry trench (SMT) beneath RC strip foundations (as a masonry pad-stone). Although, SMTs are frequently employed in engineering practice; however, the effectiveness of SMTs on the ultimate bearing capacity improvement of a strip footing rested on a weak clay stratum has not been investigated quantitatively, yet. Therefore, the expected increase of bearing capacity of strip footings reinforced with SMTs is of interest and needs to be evaluated. This study presents a two-dimensional numerical model using the discrete element method (DEM) to capture the ultimate load-bearing capacity of a strip footing on a soft clay reinforced with a SMT. The developed DEM model was then used to perform a parametric study to investigate the effects of SMT geometry and properties on the footing bearing capacity with and without the presence of surcharge. The dimensions of the SMTs were varied to determine the optimum trench relative depth. The study showed that inclusion of a SMT of optimum dimension in a soft clay can improve the bearing capacity of a strip footing up to a factor of 3.5.

• Earthquakes and Structures
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.1001-1024
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• 2014

The size of spread footings was found to be unnecessarily large from some actual engineering practices constructed in Taiwan, due to the strict design provisions related to footing uplift. According to the earlier design code in Taiwan, the footing uplift involving separation of footing from subsoil was permitted to be only up to one-half of the foundation base area, as the applied moment reaches the value of plastic moment capacity of the column. The reason for this provision was that rocking of spread footings was not a favorable mechanism. However, recent research has indicated that rocking itself may not be detrimental to seismic performance and, in fact, may act as a form of seismic isolation mechanism. In order to clarify the effects of the relative strength between column and foundation on the rocking behavior of a column, six circular reinforced concrete (RC) columns were designed and constructed and a series of rocking experiments were performed. During the tests, columns rested on a rubber pad to allow rocking to take place. Experimental variables included the dimensions of the footings, the strength and ductility capacity of the columns and the intensity of the applied earthquake. Experimental data for the six circular RC columns subjected to quasi-static and pseudo-dynamic loading are presented. Results of each cyclic loading test are compared against the benchmark test with fixed-base conditions. By comparing the experimental responses of the specimens with different design details, a key parameter of rocking behavior related to footing size and column strength is identified. For a properly designed column with the parameter higher than 1, the beneficial effects of rocking in reducing ductility and the strength demand of columns is verified.