Influence of the groundwater level on the bearing capacity of shallow foundations on the rock mass

Abstract The presence of the groundwater level (GWL) at rock mass may significantly affect mechanical behavior, and consequently bearing capacity. water particularly modifies two aspects that influence capacity: submerged unit weight overall geotechnical quality mass, because circulation tends to clean open joints. This paper is a study has on ultimate capacity shallow foundations mass. calculations were developed using finite difference method. numerical results included three possible locations level: foundation level, depth equal quarter footing width from inexistent location. analysis was based sensitivity with four parameters: width, type ( m i ), uniaxial compressive strength, geological strength index. Included in self-weight material critical where GWL no longer affected Finally, simple approximation solution estimated this suggested for practical purposes.