Model tests and finite element analysis of bearing capacity of ring footings on loose sand

The ultimate bearing capacity of ring footings for different conditions such as internal to external diameter ratio, base roughness and thickness of sand layer were determined in the laboratory. The deformed shape of the soil under footing at failure was investigated, and accordingly a semi-empirical relation for determining the bearing capacity of ring footings was developed. The bearing capacity of ring footings was also determined using finite element method. The results of. experiments, a semi-empirical relation and numerical methods were compared, and reasonable agreements were observed.