Depth factors for undrained bearing capacity of circular footing by numerical approach

The undrained vertical bearing capacity of embedded foundation has been extensively studied using analytical and numerical methods. Through comparing the results of a circular embedded foundation in the literature, a significant difference between the bearing capacity factors and depth factors is observed. Based on the previous research findings, numerical computations using FLAC code are carried out in this study to evaluate the undrained bearing capacity of circular foundations with embedment ratios up to five for different base and side foundation roughness conditions. Unlike the foundation base, the roughness of the foundation side has a significant effect on the bearing capacity. The comparison of the present results with numerical studies available in the literature shows that the discrepancy is related to the procedures used to simulate the foundation side interface conditions and to the estimation of the bearing capacity.