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Influence of Random Heterogeneity of Cross-Correlated Strength Parameters on Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations

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Abstract

During the last decade, geotechnical engineering practice has seen an increasing emphasis on the evaluation of uncertainty in geotechnical engineering problems. The evolution of modern computational tools has fostered the use of numerical modeling to tackle advanced geostatistical problems. In this study, a numerical simulation approach is performed to investigate the influence of random variations of cross-correlated shear strength parameters on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. Cohesion and internal friction angle are considered as random variables which are spatially cross-correlated and are stochastically distributed throughout the domain, based on an anisotropic correlation structure. The approach integrates the random field theory with Monte Carlo simulations to develop a probabilistic analysis. This Monte Carlo based parametric study highlights the importance of the spatial variability in the assessment of stochastic behaviour of shallow foundations and indicates that the heterogeneity of soil parameters significantly influences the calculated bearing capacity deviating from an ideal homogenous solution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Guilan, P.O. 3756, Rasht, Guilan, Iran

    Kaveh Ranjbar Pouya, Negin Zhalehjoo & Reza Jamshidi Chenari

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  1. Kaveh Ranjbar Pouya
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  2. Negin Zhalehjoo
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  3. Reza Jamshidi Chenari
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Correspondence to Reza Jamshidi Chenari.

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Ranjbar Pouya, K., Zhalehjoo, N. & Jamshidi Chenari, R. Influence of Random Heterogeneity of Cross-Correlated Strength Parameters on Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations. Indian Geotech J 44, 427–435 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-013-0096-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-013-0096-9

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