Probability-based analyses of bearing capacity of square and rectangular footings resting on sandy soil considering rotational anisotropy.

The present study explores the effect of rotational anisotropy on the bearing capacity responses of the square and rectangular footings using the random finite difference method (RFDM) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) technique. Three different aspect ratios (i.e., L/B = 1, 2, and 3) are considered in this study. The lognormal distribution is chosen for the spatial distribution of the tangent of the friction angle. The probabilistic bearing capacity response (μNγ) and the failure probability (pf) of the footings are obtained for different angles of rotation of the soil strata (β) considering different orientations of the footings. The probabilistic results are presented in the form of PDF and CDF for different β and L/B ratios of the footing. The desired safety factors (FSr) corresponding to a specific target failure probability (say pft = 0.01%) are also evaluated for different β. It is found that the orientation of the rectangular footings with respect to the strike direction of the soil strata has significant effects on the μNγ and pf of the footings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]