Settlement and Bearing Capacity of Foundations with Different Vertical Cross-sectional Shapes on Non-cohesive Soil Bases under Vertically Applied Load

Settlement and bearing capacity of foundation models with different vertical cross-sectional shapes on non-cohesive subsoil bases under the action of vertically applied load are presented. Models of foundations with rectangular, wedge and T vertical cross-sectional shapes were experimentally studied. The study generally showed foundations with rectangular vertical cross-sectional shapes having higher bearing capacity and less settlement as compared to those with wedge and T shapes, from which lower bearing capacity and higher settlement were recorded. Although, wedge and T shape foundations showed less bearing capacity, they have the potentials of actively mobilizing soil, both long their vertical trunks and beneath their bases in active resistance of structural loads. Keywords: Bearing capacity; Foundation shape; Non-cohesive soil; Settlement; Subsoil base