Model tests on bearing capacity of footing on sand slopes

The earth pressure distribution, deformation mechanism and failure mechanism of the foundation on a sand slope are studied by small-scale model tests in the laboratory. The effects of slope angle, footing width, relative density of sand and footing shape on the ultimate bearing capacity and the failure mechanism of footing on the sand slope are investigated. The results show that the slope failure mechanism is similar to Choudhury's failure mechanism, in which the failure zones consist of asymmetric wedge zone, radial shear zone and passive wedge zone. The ultimate bearing capacity of footing on the slope decreases by the accretion of angle of the slope inclination and increases by the rising of footing width and relative density of sand. The failure zone length grows with the enlargement of angle of the slope inclination and footing width, and is hardly affected by the relative density of sand. The bearing capacity and failure zone length of square footings are larger than those of circular ones with the same size. Theoretically, the experimental results contribute to the researches on deformation characteristics and failure mechanism as well as the affecting factors for bearing capacity of the footings on slopes.