Evaluation of vertical and horizontal bearing capacities of bucket foundations in clay

The present paper presents the results of three-dimensional finite element analyses of bucket foundations in normally consolidated uniform clay under undrained conditions. The stress–strain response of clay was simulated using the Tresca criterion. The bearing capacities were calculated and found to be largely dependent on the aspect ratio of the bucket foundation. Based on the results of the analyses, new equations were proposed for calculating vertical and horizontal bearing capacities. In the proposed equations, the vertical capacity consisted of an end-bearing resistance and a skin friction resistance, whereas the horizontal capacity consisted of a normal resistance, a radial shear resistance, and a base shear resistance. Comparison of the numerical results showed that the proposed equations properly predicted the capacities of the bucket foundations in uniform or non-uniform clays.

► 3D FE analyses were performed to investigate the capacities of bucket foundations.
► The vertical and horizontal capacities increased with increasing L/D ratios.
► Simple equations for calculating vertical and horizontal capacities were proposed.
► Vertical capacity consisted of end-bearing resistance and skin friction resistance.
► Horizontal capacity consisted of normal, radial shear and base shear resistances.