ISSN: 0149-6115
Published Online: 12 January 2005
Page Count: 11

Centrifuge Modeling of Rigid Square Footings on Weak Jointed Rock

Dunham, L
University of New Brunswick,N.B.,

Valsangkar, AJ
Professor,University of New Brunswick,N.B.,

Schriver, AB
Associate Professor,University of New Brunswick,N.B.,

(Received 21 May 2003; accepted 26 August 2004)

Abstract

Four series of centrifuge tests were performed using a model rock made from a mixture of sand, bentonite, cement, and water. Tests were conducted to determine the effect of horizontal and vertical discontinuities in the bedrock on the load settlement response of a rigid, shallow footing. A prototype footing, measuring 1 m × 1 m, was simulated in the study. Horizontal and vertical joints, in-filled with compressible material, were simulated by incorporating thin seams of styrofoam. Results from this study are compared to the commonly used methods used to predict the ultimate bearing capacity of footings on jointed rock mass. It is concluded that the existing methods to predict the bearing capacity are conservative for the range of design parameters studied in this research.

Keywords:
rock mass, joints, bearing capacity, footings

Paper ID: GTJ11960
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11960
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