Bearing Capacity of Circular Footings

Numerical computations using FLAC are reported to evaluate the soil-bearing capacity for circular smooth and rough footings. The effect of nonassociativity of the soil is investigated. The results indicate a decrease in the bearing capacity-factors value when the soil displays high nonassociativity. The bearing capacity factors Nγ′ obtained from the computations are significantly lower than those reported by Bolton and Lau in 1993. The results compare favorably with experimental data reported by de Beer in 1970. The sources of possible inaccuracies in numerical simulations are discussed.