Analysis of laterally loaded bucket foundation with external skirt in sand using a Winkler model approach

An investigation is made to present analytical solutions provided by a Winkler model approach for analysis of a bucket foundation with external skirt subjected to lateral loads in sand. The bucket foundation with external skirt consists of an internal compartment and an external short skirted compartment. The lateral stiffness coefficient along the skirt of the bucket foundation in nonhomogeneous soils employing the Mindlin solution for lateral loads is presented. The relationship between horizontal displacement, rotation, moment and shear force of the bucket foundation subjected to lateral loads in nonhomogeneous soils is obtainable in the form of the recurrence equation. The vertical, lateral and rocking stiffness coefficients on the base of the bucket foundation are presented considering the solutions of a hollow rigid cylindrical punch acting on the surface of a soil. An envelope of the combined ultimate horizontal and moment load capacities of the bucket foundation in sand is shown. The relationship between ultimate lateral and moment load capacities and aspect ratios (internal and external skirt-lengths to diameter) is presented. Behavior of the bucket foundation with external skirt in sand up to failure is clarified from the relationship between lateral loads and displacement and that between depth and lateral pressure.