Failure mechanism and slope factors for a footing resting on slopes

The behaviour of a footing affected significantly with the presence of the slope. The effect of slope on the bearing capacity, slope factor, and failure mechanism has been explored using limit analysis. Both lower and upper bound bearing capacities are determined, and average values are reported. The bearing capacity increases with an increase in the setback, footing depth, and angle of internal friction of soil, but reduces with an increase in slope angle. However, the slope factor decreases with an increase in footing depth, slope angle, and angle of internal friction of soil, but increases with the setback. The failure mechanism as well slope factors change substantially with an increase in the angle of internal friction of soil and slope angle. The failure mechanism of the foundation changes from bearing capacity to combined mode with an increase in the slope. The results of small-scale model testing are compared with numerical study results. Finally, nonlinear regression equations are developed to predict bearing capacity factor, slope factor, and the critical setback for a footing resting on a slope.