Calibration of characteristic values of soil properties using the random finite element method

In this paper the reliability assessment of the shallow strip footing was conducted using a reliability index β. Therefore some approaches of evaluation of characteristic values of soil properties were compared in order to check what reliability index β can be achieved by applying each of them. For this purpose, design values of the bearing capacity based on these approaches were referred to design values of the bearing capacity estimated by the random finite element method. Design values of the bearing capacity were estimated for various widths and depths of foundation in conjunction with design approaches defined in Eurocode 7. The cohesive soil was considered – clay from the area of Wrocław. The characteristic values of shear strength parameters were evaluated basing on the effective values of soil parameters.