Resonant Frequency of Model Footings Resting on Finite Saturated Sand Stratum

The resonant frequency of the foundation-soil system depends on several factors and nonhomogeniety of soil is one of the important factors that include the effect of saturation. In the present investigation, the effect of saturation and location of rigid concrete base on the resonant frequency of foundation-soil system was determined by conducting vertical vibration test on model footings resting on the surface of finite dry sand stratum as well as on finite saturated sand stratum underlain by rigid concrete base. On the basis of the experimental investigation, it was concluded that the presence of rigid base at shallow depth decreases the resonant frequency marginally where as the displacement amplitude increases marginally that obtained on finite dry sand stratum, corresponding to ratio H/B = 0.5. The displacement amplitude becomes significantly larger for the case of finite saturated sand stratum, when H/B increases to 3.0