Computation of Seismic Bearing Capacity Factors of Strip Footings by the Stress Characteristics Method

Evaluating of bearing capacity of strip footings is a classical problem in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, the bearing capacity of strip footings has been evaluated by the stress characteristics method. To do this, the equilibrium equations along the characteristic lines are solved using the finite difference method. Earthquake effect has been considered as pseudo-static horizontal and vertical coefficients. To solve the problem, a computer code has been written. The method of superposition has been used to calculate bearing capacity factors. Design charts have been proposed for evaluating the bearing capacity factors. Bearing capacity factors for surcharge (Nq) and cohesion (Nc) can be calculated using the proposed equations without using the program.