Abstract
Due to the result of urban development, buildings were constructed near existing buildings due to the limited construction area or other constraints. Thus, close footing placement would change the soil’s behavior of supporting the structure because of change in bearing capacity. The purpose of this study was examining parametric studies on interference effects on rectangular footing using a finite element analysis tool (Abaqus). The study covers experimental work to determine its engineering properties for investigating the effects of footing size aspect ratio, horizontal spacing, embedment depth and width ratio of two nearby rectangular footings on their bearing capacity for different combinations. According to the study, rectangular footings that are constructed near each other results in increased interference factors for bearing capacity. This is due to the soil confinement between the footings. The interference factor for the bearing capacity gives up to a 39% increase for a 1.5 m depth and a 30% increase for a 3 m depth at a spacing-to-average width ratio of 3. The interference factor for bearing capacity decreases beyond the spacing to width ratio of 3.
Keywords: – Shallow foundation, Interference, Numerical Modeling, Bearing Capacity, Abaqus.
Yirga Z. Yimer1*, Yebeltal Z. Beju2