STRESS DISTRIBUTION FOR HEAVY EMBEDDED STRUCTURES

Solutions for embedded areal loads in a Westergaard material are presented, and computed settlements under typical heavy nuclear power plant buildings based on Boussinesq, Mindlin, Westergaard, and Mindlin- Westergaard (embedded Westergaard) stress distributions are compared. Mathematical details of the analysis are set forth. The stresses due to a uniformly distributed load over a square area were calculated based on the various theories, and the vertical distribution of stresses under the center of the loaded area and the horizontal distribution of stresses along a section through the center of the square are illustrated (for purposes of comparison). To study the effects of various stress-distribution theories on settlements, computations were made to estimate the settlements for a group of buildings placed at various depths below the ground surface for a typical arrangement of a heavy nuclear plant. Results show that the maximum computed settlement is reduced to 90 percent of the Boussinesq value when using the Mindlin solution and is reduced to 60 percent of the Boussinesq value when using the Westergaard-Mindlin solution. It is noted that for a small depth-to-width ratio, such as for turbines, the differences between the surface and embedded solutions are small, but deeper embedment, such as for Reactor Containment Buildings, the differences are significant.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Bhushan, K
  • Haley, S C
• Publication Date: 1976-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 807-810
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 102
  • Issue Number: GT7
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anchoring; Boussinesq equation; Calculation; Coefficient of subgrade reaction; Deformation curve; Electric power plants; Ground settlement; Loads; Nuclear power generation; Structures; Turbines
• Uncontrolled Terms: Computation; Embedment
• Old TRIS Terms: Boussinesq formula; Westergaards theory
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00141324
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #12256 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 26 1976 12:00AM