Investigating the Effects of Rock Failure Mechanism on its Bearing Capacity Using the Three Dimensional Particle Flow Code (PFC3D)

Abstract

One of the most important issues in geotechnical studies is bearing capacity. It is also defined as the resistance when the maximum pressure is exerted from the footing to the foundation without creating shear failure therein. Since earing capacity is highly correlated with the stability of surface and subsurface structures, researchers have become interested in this subject. The area and geometry impacts on the footing are considered as the two important issues in this regard. In this research, a numerical model based on particle flow code was used in PFC3D software. To do experiments in numerical models, two triple-facet footings were utilized in square, rectangular and circular geometric shapes. Furthermore, these footings held a total area of 64 cm2 and other series included a full area of 49 cm2. In the modeling, the mechanical properties of granite were put into practice and the results of the numerical tests were scrutinized, as well. As a result, it was ascertained that the bearing capacity depends on both the footing geometry and the footing area.

Keywords

• bearing capacity
• footing geometry
• foundation
• shear failure mechanism
• particle flow code