Influence of Nonassociativity on the Bearing Capacity Factors of a Circular Footing

Numerical computations using the finite difference code FLAC (fast Lagrangian analysis of continua) are presented to evaluate the soil bearing capacity factors Nc,Nq and Nγ for circular smooth and rough footings. The influence of nonassociative flow rule on the ultimate bearing capacity of a circular footing is investigated. The footing rests on the surface of a homogeneous soil mass and a Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion have been assumed for the soil behavior. The values of ultimate bearing capacity factors Nc,Nq and Nγ are obtained for a wide range of values of the friction angle for five different values of the dilation angle. The values from the numerical simulation are found to decrease significantly with the increase of nonassociativity of the soil. The results are compared with those derived from existing classical solutions.