A nonlinear model for footings on granular bed–stone column reinforced earth beds

In the present study, an attempt has been made to model and analyze a combined footing supporting column, which is to be constructed on very soft soil. In view of small bearing capacity and very large deflections, foundations are constructed after improving the original ground. Here, the ground has been improved by providing the stone columns in the soft soil and on top of this improved ground; a granular fill layer has been placed just below the footing. The footing has been modeled as a beam having finite flexural rigidity. Granular fill layer, soft soil and stone columns have been represented by Pasternak shear layer, Kelvin–Voigt body and the Winkler springs, respectively. Nonlinear behavior of these has been considered by means of hyperbolic constitutive relationships. Governing differential equations for response of the system have been derived and presented in non-dimensional form. These equations have been solved using appropriate boundary conditions by means of an iterative Gauss Elimination technique.Parametric study has been carried out for a typical combined footing supporting five column loads, considering a possible range of various model parameters and all the results have been presented in the form of nondimensional charts, which can be used readily.