Bearing Capacity of Cylindrical Caissons in Cohesive-Frictional Soils Using Axisymmetric Finite Element Limit Analysis

Abstract This paper investigates the use of stability factors for estimating ultimate bearing pressures on cylindrical caissons in cohesive-frictional soils. Rigorous upper and lower bound limit analyses with finite elements axisymmetric (AX) condition are used a series numerical studies. The capacity ( N c 0 , q ? ) surface circular footing firstly revisited. is followed by study effect caisson’s embedded depth ratio L / D ). A comprehensive set F cd qd ?d then reported as function soil internal friction angle ? obtained results compared published solutions literature. Several examples given to validate principal superposition well illustrate how produced estimate should be great interests practitioners.