Effects of inclined loads on strip footings with an underlying tunnel

Abstract

The self-developed Finite Element Limit Analysis (FELA) code was utilized to examine the ultimate bearing capacity of strip footings positioned above tunnels affected by inclined loads. Bearing capacity factors were predicted using both upper bound (UB) and lower bound (LB) solutions, with a variance of less than 3 %. The primary focus of this study lies in assessing the influences of underlying tunnels and inclined loads on potential failure modes. In particular, the concept of failure envelopes was introduced, by which the load properties (inclination angle), the tunnel location (relative lateral distance and longitudinal distance from the footing) and the material properties of rock masses (GSI, m_i, s_ci, g) were involved in to facilitate preliminary designs. In addition to envelopes, the transition among failure patterns was summarized, resting with any possible factors.