Bearing Capacity Factor Nc of Strip Footings on a Single Layer, using Integrated Limit Analysis with Finite Element

Calculating the ultimate bearing capacity of a foundation by limit analysis allows determining the exact upper bound of bearing capacity of the foundation. In the present study, the cohesion coefficient (Nc) of a strip foundation on a single layer of soil overlaying bedrock was calculated. For this purpose, the upper bound of limit analysis combined with finite element method (FEM) was used. The soil behavior was assumed to be plastic and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion was used which allows description of soil mass by two parameters of cohesion and internal friction angle. It was assumed that the soil cohesion is not constant with depth and rather increases linearly. Finally, the bearing capacity was obtained using an optimized procedure (i.e., linear programming). In this regard, the Mohr-Coulomb criterion should be linearized in a stress condition. The cohesion depends on different parameters such as friction angle (φ), the ratio of soil depth to foundation width (b/h), and the cohesion variation with depth (ρ). To validate the results, obtained constant cohesion values were compared with those obtained by other researchers. The effect of the parameters on N_c was separately plotted and the calculated design charts were discussed.