A framework for modelling rigid footing behaviour based on energy principles
The force-resultant modelling of the interaction of rigid foundations and soil under combined loading is described using a framework based on energy principles. The general formulation allows idealization of the problem using two continuous model systems. In the first system, referred to as uni-continuous, the global foundation behaviour can be described by defining a continuous field of stressdisplacement elasto-plastic models along the interface of the problem. By replacing each of these elasto-plastic models to be continuous along an internal coordinate a bi-continuous system can be constructed. With physical interpretation of the underlying properties in each stressdisplacement model, force-resultant behaviour of the entire foundation can be calibrated. Though applicable to monotonic loading, the approach is particularly appealing to the formation of models describing cyclic loading conditions. In this paper, the framework will be applied to the modelling of both monotonic and cyclic loading of strip footings. However, the methodology could be easily expanded to account for changes in geometry (for instance between strip and circular footings) or footing types.
energy foundations cyclic loading strip footing thermomechanics theoretical analysis