Settlement analysis of isolated footings using two soil models

This paper investigates the influence of soil idealization on stress distribution and settlement beneath isolated footings of building structures. Two basic soil models commonly used in geotechnical engineering practice are analyzed: the elastic half-space model and the finite-thickness soil layer model resting on a rigid base. Stress and settlement analyses were performed for square isolated footings of different dimensions subjected to a constant uniformly distributed surface load, while varying the mechanical properties of the soil. Particular attention is devoted to comparing the soil deformation response at characteristic points along the footing-soil interface. The obtained results indicate a significant influence of the selected soil model, soil deformability (soil stiffness, E), and footing geometry on settlement values, confirming the necessity of a careful choice of the calculation model in geotechnical design.