Three dimensional bearing capacity analysis of shallow foundations using discrete element method

In the current study, an effort is made to determine three dimensional bearing capacity of rectangular foundations using Discrete Element Method. The soil mass is modeled as discrete blocks connected with Winkler springs. Different factors affect the geometry of failure surface. Six independent angles are used to define the failure surface. By trial and error, the optimum shape of failure surface beneath the foundation can be found. The paper includes the derivation of the governing equations for this DEM based formulation in three dimensional state as well as parametric sensitivity analyses and comparison with other methods. Moreover, using the current method, bearing capacity coefficients are presented for various friction angles and foundation aspect ratios.