Reliability-Based Design Approach for Differential Settlement of Footings on Cohesionless Soils

A probabilistic method is presented to estimate the differential settlements of footings on cohesionless soils, considering the uncertainties in both the load and capacity sides of the design equation. A random field approach is employed to characterize the inherent soil variability. This method is first compared to typical limit values from the literature to denote critical combinations of design parameters that can lead to exceedance of tolerable differential settlements. Then, reliability-based design equations are developed for the serviceability limit state (SLS) design of footings on cohesionless soils. The key parameters controlling the SLS are the allowable angular distortion, site variability, and footing spacing. The results are given in a straightforward design format and indicate that currently suggested deformation factors (resistance factors for SLS) equal to 1.0 are likely to be unconservative for most design situations.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/35194342
• Authors:
  • Akbas, Sami O
  • Kulhawy, Fred H
• Publication Date: 2009-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Illustrations; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1779-1788
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 135
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bearing capacity; Bridges; Design load; Design methods; Differential settlement; Footings; Foundations; Granular soils; Mathematical methods; Reliability (Statistics); Structural design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Probabilistic methods
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Geotechnology; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01150917
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 19 2010 10:59AM