Settlement analysis of shallow foundations on sand.

The evaluation of ground movements is one of the most important issues in geotechnical engineering applications. In this context, the paper is aimed at the prediction of the load-settlement performance of shallow foundations by taking soil non-linearity into account. The illustrated approach is based on the “operational stiffness” concept, characterizing the field behaviour with reference to the relative foundation settlements, indicating “pseudo-strain” levels. A “strain correction factor” and a “modulus correction factor”, relating laboratory and field stiffness degradation curves, are introduced. Values of these factors are supplied on the basis of well documented tests performed on Ticino Sand and can be adopted into elastic relationships for the prediction of load-settlement curves. The procedure, developed in order to supply the designer a practical tool, is described and some applications are presented.