Effect of Vertical Cross-Sectional Shape of Foundation on Settlement and Bearing Capacity of Soils

Load-settlement relationships of shallow foundation models with different vertical cross-sectional shapes on different modeled subsoil conditions are presented. Model of shallow foundations with rectangular, wedge and T-shape vertical cross-sections were studied. The study generally shows that bulk of the load resistance of subsoil bases at the instance of shallow foundations with rectangular vertical cross-sectional shapes is mostly associated with the soil beneath the foundation base, while at the instances of those with wedge and T-shape vertical cross-sectional shape, both soil beneath the foundations’ bases and along their vertical stems, is actively involved in the resistance of structural loads.