Impact of eccentricity and depth-to-breadth ratio on the behavior of skirt foundation rested on dry gypseous soil

Abstract Gypseous soils are considered one of the most problematic soils. The skirted foundation is an alternative technology that works to improve bearing capacity and reduce settlement. This paper investigates use square foundations resting on gypseous soil subjected concentric eccentric vertical load with eccentricity values 4, 8, 17 mm in 16 experimental model tests. To obtain results by using this type foundation, a small-scale physical was designed load–settlement behavior foundation; dimension footing 100 × 1 thickness, skirt depth ( D s ) 0.5, 1, 1.5 B (where width). rests dry relative density 33%. tests show gypsum content 59%. result shows highest for shape / = improvement ratio 190%. For load, /B 1.5, increase about 120% at e 8 when compared without skirt.