ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC STRESS

DISTRIBUTION AT THE SOIL FOUNDATION

INTERFACE

A Report of CVD 411 - Project Part 1

submitted by

A.S.Neelesh Kumar

2014CE10313

under the guidance of

Prof. Bappaditya Manna ​ ​

in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of

Bachelor of Technology

Department of Civil Engineering

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DELHI

January 2018

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2
 CERTIFICATE
I do certify that this report explains the work carried out by me in the Course CVD 411 -
Project Part 1 under the overall supervision of ​ Prof Bappaditya Manna. The contents of
the report including text, figures, tables, computer programs, etc. have not been reproduced
from other sources such as books, journals, reports, manuals, websites, etc. Wherever limited
reproduction from another source had been made, the source had been duly acknowledged at
that point and also listed in the References.

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ------------------------------------
​ ​ ​ A.S.Neelesh Kumar
2014CE10313

This is to certify that the report submitted by A.S.Neelesh Kumar describes the work carried
out by him in the Course CVD 411 Project Part 1 under my overall supervision.

------------------------------------
Prof. Bappaditya Manna

Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
IIT Delhi, 110016

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Bappaditya Manna for guiding me all along the
project. Apart from being my project supervisor he has been a very inspiring teacher whose
diverse research interests and novelty in research motivated me to take up this project with
him. I am very thankful to him for being very easily approachable always and very helpful in
guiding me through various resources available to accomplish my work.

I am very grateful to my parents and teachers who inculcated in me an interest to approach

academics very sincerely which kept me motivated and enthusiastic to carry out my duties
responsibly, though it was highly demanding at times. I am very grateful to my friends who
have been very supportive and helpful, whose association has been of great joy and happiness
for me.

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 ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:Interaction Soil-Structure,Dynamic Loading,Stresses

This report represents the the dynamic stress distribution at the soil-foundation interface zone
calculated by Plaxis-3D with same soil parameters and properties that are used in an
experiment where a cubic foundation prototype along with a soil filled in a container below
the foundation and compacted to a certain known density is subjected to a cyclic sinusoidal
loading generated by the testing machine at the foundation center.The stress enhancement
induced by the dynamic loading may lead to a partial confinement with an eventuality of
instability risks or resistance loss; showed by a particle rearrangement.Dynamic Stress
Distribution, at the soil foundation interface are represented, as a function of the number of
cycles.Further it also represents dynamic stress distribution at the soil-foundation interface
for different soil parameters.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………6

Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………..10
1.1 General Overview………………………………………...………………………….10
1.2 Objective of the project………………………………………………….…………...10
1.3 Scope of the Work………………………………………...………………………….10
1.4 Organisation of the Report……………………………………….…….…………….11

Chapter 2 LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………12

2.1 Importance of the Experiments Performed………………………………………….12
2.2 About Experiment Performed………………………………………………………..13
2.2.1 Experimental Setup…………………………………………………………….13
2.2.2 Characteristics of Soil sample………………………………………………….14
2.2.3 Measurement of Dynamic Stress Distribution…………………………………15

Chapter 3 NUMERICAL MODEL

3.1 About Plaxis 3D……………….……………………………………………………..17
3.2 Geometry of Foundation and soil and Calculation…………………………………...17
3.2.1 Definition of Soil Statigraphy…………………………………………………18
3.2.2 Definition of Structural Elements……………………………………………...18
3.2.3 Definition of Dynamic Load on foundation……………………………………19
3.2.4 Mesh Generation……………………………………………………………….20
3.2.5 Performing Calculations………………………………………………………..21
3.3 Viewing of Results…………………………………………………………………...21

Chapter 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS………………………………………………..22

4.1 Assumptions in Calculations…………….…………………………………………..22
4.2 Comparision of Analytical Results(from Plaxis 3D) and Experimental Results…….22
4.2.1 Results from Experimental Determination and Analytical Analysis
by Plaxis 3D…………………………………………………………………..23
4.2.2 Discussions…………………………………………………………………….25

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4.3 Dynamic Stress Distribution below the foundation is independent of the size of
Square Foundation………….………………………………………………………25
4.4 Dynamic Sress Distribution below the foundation for different Soil Parameters
(Sand and Clay)……………………………………………………………………..29

Chapter 5 CONCLUSIONS……………….…………………………………………………44
REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………….46

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure-2.1:Testing model for measurement of dynamic displacement……………………13
Figure-2.2:Measurement points at the soil foundation interface…………………………..16
Figure-3.1:Soil Model (on left) , Foundation Model (on right) in Plaxis 3D……………...17
Figure-3.2:Soil and Foundation Model with Load applied on Foundation in Plaxis 3D…..18
Figure-3.3:Sinusoidal Dynamic Load Multiplier in Plaxis 3D……………………………..19
Figure-3.4:3D Finite Element Mesh in Paxis 3D…………………………………………..20
Figure-3.5:3D Finite Element Mesh along with Stress Points in Plaxis 3D………………..20
Figure-4.1:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and
experimental at the Centre of the Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………….23
Figure-4.2:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and
experimental at the Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………24
Figure-4.3:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and
experimental at the Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………….24
Figure-4.4:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of Square
Foundation at the Centre of the Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………27
Figure-4.5:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of Square
Foundation at the Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………27
Figure-4.6:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of Square
Foundation at the Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………..28
Figure-4.7:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………………………………………..29
Figure-4.8, 4.9, 4.10:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Corner and
Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively………………………………………..30
Figure-4.11:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………………………………………..31
Figure-4.12, 4.13, 4.14:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively………………………………………32
Figure-4.15:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface…………………………………………………………………..33
Figure-4.16, 4.17, 4.18:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively………………………………………34
Figure-4.19:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………………………………………………35
Figure-4.20, 4.21, 4.22:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively……………………………………….36

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Figure-4.23:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………………………………………………37
Figure-4.24, 4.25, 4.26:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively……………………………………….38
Figure-4.27:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………………………………………………39
Figure-4.28, 4.29, 4.30:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively……………………………………….40
Figure-4.31:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of the
Soil-Foundation Interface……………………………………………………………………41
Figure-4.32, 4.33, 4.34:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge and
Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively……………………………………….42

LIST OF TABLES
Table-2.1:Properties of soil used in the experiment…………………………………………43
Table-4.1:Soil Properties of the Dense Sand used in the Experiment……………………….44
Table-4.2:Different foundation sizes with their height or depth(thickness)…………………45
Table-4.3:Soil Properties used in Plaxis 3D in this Section 4.3……………………………..46

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 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General Overview

The generated soil vibrations may be very important, causing by the way great source of
annoyance for structures such as fatigue, and settlement phenomena; the interaction between
Soil and Structure will be important phenomena to take into account while analyzing the real
behavior of a structure.Many seismic table experimentations have been conducted on
structures supported by surface foundation. These tests have shown that the foundation uplift
play an insulating role reducing the base forces.
Dynamic stress distribution generated at the soil foundations generated due to Dynamic
Forces on the foundation are one the important factor to be considered while analysing the
interaction between Soil and Structure.

1.2 Objectives of the project

1) To determine the dynamic stresses distribution generated at the soil foundation with
the aid of Plaxis 3D by using Finite Element Method and to check whether the
results obtained from Plaxis 3D are close to results from article by A. Boumekik, S.
Belhadj-Mostefa*, and F. Meribout(2010)

2) To extend the results obtained from Plaxis 3D which is done for the Foundation Size
(0.15 x 0.15 m2) to the Square Foundation of different size
(or)
To prove whether Dynamic Sress Distribution below the foundation is independent of
the size of Square Foundation but depends on the contact pressure between Soil and
foundation interface and soil properties.

1.3 Scope of the Work

This report presents the analytical determination of the dynamic stress distribution
generated at the soil foundation with the aid of Plaxis 3D by using Finite Element Method
which varies accordingly due to the
 Foundation Mass(in this report we are considering square foundation)
 Soil Properties(such as Cohesion coefficient(C),Friction angle(ɸ),Elastic
Modulus(E),Poissons Ratio(Ʋ))
 Deformation Load ( P(t) with sinusoidal distribution of Amplitude = P , Frequency = f
(1.67 s-1) ).

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1.4 Organisation of the Report

Chapter 2 is a description of the literature review done which describes about the experiment
performed in a lab, which is the basis of the soil and foundation model that is generated in
Plaxis 3D for analysis of the dynamic stress distribution at the soil-foundation interface

Chapter 3 is description about Plaxis-3D and steps used to develop a numerical model.Also
the underlying principles of the working of the softwares used, has been mentioned in this
section.

Chapter 4 is a detailed description of the assumptions and parameters used while analyzing
the dynamic stress distribution.Also comparision of results obtained from analysis with
experimental results from the article by A. Boumekik, S. Belhadj-Mostefa*, and F.
Meribout(2010)

Chapter 5 presents the important conclusions of the work performed. The scope for future
work has also been mentioned.

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 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Importance of the Experiments Performed

The generated soil vibrations are important, causing by the way great source of
annoyance for structures such as fatigue and settlement phenomena.So the interaction
between soil and structure will be important phenomena to take into account while analyzing
the real behavior of a structure.
Many seismic table experimentations have been conducted on structures supported by
surface foundation. These tests have shown that the foundation uplift play an insulating
role reducing the base forces.
Special tests such as centrifuge test, cyclic triaxial test, etc. are recommended for a consistent
force case. However, these laboratory tests require the confinement and the soil consolidation
in order to recreate real site conditions. Within the laboratory test category, the dynamic
centrifuge tests have been currently used to study complex boundary problems related to the
soil structure interaction. Also the effects of foundation mass, foundation size, foundation
shape, foundation embedment depth, soil parameters, soil properties,and deformation load
have explicitly been shown in order to determine their impact on the dynamic response and
are used to compare the numerical predictions from different finite element codes.
This report compares the results of one of the kind of experiments that are mentioned above
and the numerical analysis done by Paxis 3D for the dynamic stresses distribution generated
at the soil and foundation interface.It also presents the numerical analysis done by Plaxis 3D
for dynamic stress distribution at soil and foundation interface by varying soil parameters.

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2.2 About Experiment Performed

2.2.1 Experimental Setup

Figure-2.1:Testing model for measurement of dynamic displacement

(A. Boumekik, S. Belhadj-Mostefa*, and F. Meribout .et al.(2010). Experimental analysis of
the dynamic stress distribution at the soil foundation interface.)

Ref :The experimental approach used herein is similar to the simple case of foundation
disposed on a homogenous soil as it is specified by the European program framework
(TRISEE 98) for dynamic cyclic tests performed on a superficial square foundation.

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Description of Experimental Setup:
The setup consists of a container of size 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.6 m3 in which soil is filled and
compacted to a certain known density as shown in Figure-2.1.
On the compacted soil a foundation prototype is placed which is made of Concrete and
Dimensions of the prototype are o 0.15 x 0.15 x 0.05 m3 on which a dynamic sinusoidal load
(Amplitude = 1KN,Frequency = 1.67 Hz) is applied at the center with the help of a machine
and spring as shown in Figure-2.1.
The stresses are obtained directly from the dynamic displacement collected trough a
displacement transducers which are placed below the foundation as shown in Figure 2.1.

.
2.2.2 Characteristics of Soil sample

The soil samples is collected from north east of Algeria (Constantine) at quarry of Oued Zhor
for dense sand the essential physical soil properties have been established at Fondasoil
Laboratory (Soil Mechanic Laboratory at Constantine) are presented in the Table-2.1.

Soil Parameters Value

Soil Density(Saturated) 21 KN/m3
Water content 19 %
Void Ratio 0.27
Cohesion 0
Friction Angle 400
Table-2.1:Properties of soil used in the experiment

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2.2.3 Measurement of Dynamic Stress Distribution

The harmonic load is generated directly from the vertical cyclic motion of the axles of
machine. The machine is able to simulate harmonic loading with different amplitudes and
various operating frequencies.
In this experiment the machine generates a sinusoidal load of amplitude = 1KN and
frequency = 1.67Hz.
The harmonic motion is transmitted to the soil sample through the concrete foundation
prototype, placed on the upper face of the soil sample.
(Both foundation prototype and soil sample are correctly centered with respect to the vertical
axis, before testing).
The measurement of stress is based on a simple experimental process (Figure-2.1) that
consists of reading the resulting displacement established by the video recording; so the
linear relation between the forces and displacements is:

F=KU
Where, K: soil stiffness, U: displacement measured by the displacement transducer.

The measurement of the dynamic displacement resulting from an excitation load F with a
corresponding operating frequency, recorded by video is used to establish the time related
variation of the dynamic stresses in the elastic field as follows:

KU
Vertical Dynamic Stress(σ) =
A
Where, σ : vertical stress under the foundation, A : foundation area.

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 Figure-2.2:Measurement points at the soil foundation interface

The displacement transducers are placed at the positions of corner , edge and center as
shown in Figure-2.2 (Here a = 0.05m) below the foundation for measurement of the vertical
dynamic stresses .

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 CHAPTER 3 NUMERICAL MODEL

3.1 About Plaxis 3D

Plaxis 3D uses finite element analysis to generate a 3D mesh to solve the geotechnical
problems. The finite element method formulation of the problem results in a system of
algebraic equations. The method yields approximate values of the unknowns at discrete
number of points over the domain. To solve the problem, it subdivides a large problem into
smaller, simpler parts that are called finite elements.

3.2 Geometry of Foundation and soil and Calculation

In this chapter lets assume the geometry of the Square Foundation to be

 Plan Area of 0.15 x 0.15 m2.
 Height of 0.05 m.
 A dynamic load of sinusoidal variation with Load(P) = 1 KN.and
Frequency = 1.67 Hz ( time period = 0.6 s) is applied on the top of the foundation at
its centre.
The dimensions of the soil model that is to be used in this problem is 0.6 x 0.6 x 0.6 m3.

Figure-3.1:Soil Model (on left) , Foundation Model (on right) in Plaxis 3D

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3.2.1 Definition of Soil Statigraphy

First go to soil and define Mohr–Coulomb model for soil for the analysis of dynamic stress
distribution between soil-foundation interface.This model involves five parameters, namely
Cohesion coefficient, c,Friction angle, ɸ,Elastic Modulus, E,Poissons Ratio, ν, and the
Dilatancy angle, ψ. In this case dilatancy angle was assumed to be zero.Also soil properties
such as void ratio and density of soil.
In this problem lets consider c = 0,ɸ = 400,E = 47 Mpa,ν = 0.38, 19KN/m3 and 21KN/m3 as
Dry density and Saturated density respectively.

3.2.2 Definition of Structural Elements

Second go to structure and define Elastic model for foundation for the analysis of dynamic
stress distribution between soil foundation interface.This model involves two parameters
Elastic Modulus, E,Poissons Ratio, ν.
In this model concrete of grade M25 is used for foundation.So E = 19.36 Gpa (from IS456),
and lets assume the foundation to be rigid when compared to soil so consider ν = 0.49.

Figure-3.2:Soil and Foundation Model with Load applied on Foundation in Plaxis 3D

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3.2.3 Definition of Dynamic Load on foundation

A dynamic load of Amplitude = 1KN and Frequency = 1.67 Hz is applied at the centre of the
top of the foundation.This is applied in the model by the use of Dynamic Multiplier function.

Figure-3.3:Sinusoidal Dynamic Load Multiplier in Plaxis 3D

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3.2.4 Mesh Generation

Now go to mesh and create a relatively finer mesh near soil foundation interface when
compared to the entire 3D mesh so that the calculations near soil foundation interface are
calculated with less error.

Figure-3.4:3D Finite Element Mesh in Paxis 3D

Figure-3.5:3D Finite Element Mesh along with Stress Points in Plaxis 3D

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3.2.5 Performing Calculations

In this step go to staged construction and here in this problem to calculate the dynamic stress
distribution at the soil foundation interface ,Two phases are used:
 First phase is Initial Phase which consists of generating the intial stresses in the soil
using K0 procedure before the dynamic load is applied.
 In Second phase the dynamic load is applied on top of the foundation and set the
number of iterations to be used for eash finite element and also set the total amount of
Dynamic time upto which the load has to be applied on the foundation.

3.3 Viewing of Results

Go to Plaxis-3D output file and here we can get the graphs between Dynamic stress
distribution vs Dynamic time

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 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Assumptions in Calculations

 Very less strain levels (about order of 10-3 to 10-2) of soil after dynamic load is
applied on the foundation.
 Elastic Modulus or Youngs Modulus,Shear Modulus ,Poissons Ratio are assumed to
be constant with respect to time and strain as soil is experiencing very less strain.
 Also the variation soil parameters such as Cohesion coefficient, c,Friction angle, ɸ
and soil properties such as void ratio and density with respect to time and strain are neglected
as soil is experiencing very less strain.
 Dynamic soil parameters such as Elastic Modulus, E,Poissons Ratio, ν,Shear Modulus,
G, are calculated emperically from equations and graphs given by Hardin and Drnevich
(1972) ,Seed and Idriss (1970).

4.2 Comparision of Analytical Results(from Plaxis 3D) and Experimental Results

In this section comparision between experimental results and analytical results obtained from
Plaxis 3D is done.

The soil parameters for the soil(Dense Sand) that is used in the lab is,
Soil Parameter Value

Cohesion, C 0

Friction Angle, ɸ 400

Soil Density 21 KN/m3

Void Ratio, e 0.27

Poissons Ratio 0.37

Water content, w 19%

Table-4.1:Soil Properties of the Dense Sand used in the Experiment

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The same soil properties are used in Plaxis 3D and the soil parameters like Elastic Modulus,
E,Shear Modulus, G, are calculated using emperical equations given by Hardin and Drnevich
(1972) ,Seed and Idriss (1970).Here E =47Mpa,G=17.15 Mpa.And finally the contact
pressure between soil and foundation interface is 45 Kpa when 1 KN dynamic load is applied
on the top of the foundation.

4.2.1 Results from Experimental Determination and Analytical Analysis by Plaxis 3D

Below are the graphs, which are containing both experimental result and analytical
result(from Plaxis 3D) in the same plot at different positions ( Center,Edge,Corner) of the soil
foundation interface.

On Y-axis is,
Dimensionless Dynamic Stress ( ratio of Dynamic Stress and Contact Pressure),
(here Contact Pressure = 45Kpa)
On X-axis is,
Number of Cycles (N),where one cycle is equal to one time period of the sinusoidal dynamic
load,i.e. One Cycle = 0.6 seconds.

Figure-4.1:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and

experimental at the Centre of the Soil-Foundation Interface

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Figure-4.2:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and
experimental at the Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface

Figure-4.3:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for theoretical and

experimental at the Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface

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4.2.2 Discussions

From Figures-4.1, 4.2, 4.3 one can observe that as Number of Cycles increases the Dynamic
Stress from Experimental Results are almost equal to the Dynamic Stress from Analytical
Results(calculated using Plaxis 3D).
This phenomena is observed may be because while conducting experiment in the lab the soil
is already compacted to a appropriate density such that when additional dynamic load is
applied on the soil through the foundation the particle rearrangement is almost neglegible as
movement of soil particles is neglegible as soil is filled in a container, so one can observe that
the stress obtained experimentally is almost constant.
But while analysing in Plaxis as the software considered the soil media to be semi infinite
soil media the intial rearrangement of particles happens and movement of soil particles is not
neglegible so the stress first increses with number of cycles and after certain number of
cycles it became constant and almost coincide with that of the experimental results.

4.3 Dynamic Stress Distribution below the foundation is independent of the size of
Square Foundation

In this section we prove that Dimensionless Dynamic Stress Distribution (ratio of Dynamic
Stress and Contact Pressure) below the foundation is independent of the size of Square
Foundation when same type of of soil is present below the foundation.

The different sizes of the Square foundations used are given in the following table,
Foundation Plan Area Height
0.15 x 0.15 m2 0.05 m
1 x 1 m2 0.17 m
2 x 2 m2 0.35 m
3 x 3 m2 0.5 m
Table-4.2:Different foundation sizes with their height or depth(thickness)

25
Soil properties of the soil below the foundation are kept same for all the sizes of Square
Foundation as shown in the below table,
Soil Properties Value
Cohesion, C 0
Friction Angle, ɸ 30
E 28 Mpa
Poissons Ratio 0.28
G 10.94 Mpa
Void Ratio, e 0.4
Table-4.3:Soil Properties used in Plaxis 3D in this Section 4.3

Below are the graphs of Dynamic stress at different positions of soil foundation interface
with different dimensions of the square foundation.

4.3.1 Graphs for Dynamic Stress Distribution and Number of Cycles for different
Square Foundation Sizes

On Y-axis is,
Dimensionless Dynamic Stress ( ratio of Dynamic Stress and Contact Pressure),
On X-axis is,
Number of Cycles (N),where one cycle is equal to one time period of the sinusoidal dynamic
load,i.e. One Cycle = 0.6 seconds.

26
Figure-4.4:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of
Square Foundation at the Centre of the Soil-Foundation Interface

Figure-4.5:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of

Square Foundation at the Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface

27
 Figure-4.6:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles for different sizes of
Square Foundation at the Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface

4.3.2 Discussions

From the Figures-4.3, 4.4, 4.6 one can observe that the Dimensionless Dynamic Stress
Distribution is independent of size of the Square Foundation,as the values of Dimensionless
Stress are almost same in the above three graphs at the positions of Center,Edge,Corner of
the foundation.
Thus when one must calculate the Dynamic Stress for different size of foundation given the
Properties of the soil are same with Contact Pressure (CP Kpa) then,
Dynamic Stress of Unknown foundation (Kpa) = DDS * CP
(Where,DDS represents Dimensionless Dynamic Stress of Known foundation)

28
4.4 Dynamic Stress Distribution below the foundation for different Soil Parameters
(Sand and Clay)

On Y-axis is,
Dimensionless Dynamic Stress ( ratio of Dynamic Stress and Contact Pressure),
(here Contact Pressure = 45Kpa)
On X-axis is,
Number of Cycles (N),where one cycle is equal to one time period of the sinusoidal dynamic
load,i.e. One Cycle = 0.6 seconds.

4.4.1 For Sand( c=0)

In this section presents various graphs(Dimensionless Dynamic Stress) vs Number of Cycles

obtained from numerical analysis done by Plaxis 3D by varying soil parameters by keeping
cohesion coefficient, c=0

 For c = 0,ɸ = 25,E = 17 Mpa,ν = 0.25

Figure-4.7:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

29
Figure-4.8, 4.9, 4.10:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Corner
and Edge of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

30
 For c = 0,ɸ = 30,E = 28 Mpa,ν = 0.28

Figure-4.11:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

31
Figure-4.12, 4.13, 4.14:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

32
 For c = 0,ɸ = 35,E = 38 Mpa,ν = 0.33

Figure-4.15:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

33
Figure-4.16, 4.17, 4.18:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

34
 For c = 0,ɸ = 40,E = 47 Mpa,ν = 0.37

Figure-4.19:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

35
Figure-4.20, 4.21, 4.22:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

36
4.4.1 Discussions based on graphs plotted for sand

From Figures-4.7 to 4.22 one can observe that the dynamic stress initially increases with
increase in number of cycles and after certain number of cycles it becomes constant, this
phenomena is occurring may be because initially when dynamic load is applied on the soil
the particles rearrange themselves beneath the foundation so that to make the deformations in
the soil zero for the applied dynamic load or contact pressure between foundation and soil so
stress increases initially and after certain number of cycles the rearrangement of particles is
finished and the stress becomes constant beneath the foundation.
Also one can observe that for sand the value of stress below the center of the foundation is
maximum and then followed by the stress at the edge and finally the stress value at the corner
is minimum.

4.4.2 For Clay( ɸ =0)

In this section presents various graphs(Dimensionless Dynamic Stress) vs Number of Cycles

obtained from numerical analysis done by Plaxis 3D by varying soil parameters by keeping
friction angle, ɸ=0
 For c= 25 KN/m2,ɸ = 0,E = 27 Mpa,ν = 0.3

Figure-4.23:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

37
Figure-4.24, 4.25, 4.26:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

38
 For c = 50 KN/m2,ɸ = 0,E = 60 Mpa,ν = 0.35

Figure-4.27:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

39
Figure-4.28, 4.29, 4.30:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

40
 For c = 100 KN/m2,ɸ = 0,E = 120 Mpa,ν = 0.4

Figure-4.31:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge,Corner of

the Soil-Foundation Interface

41
Figure-4.32, 4.33, 4.34:Plot of Dimensionless Stress vs Number of Cycles at Centre,Edge
and Corner of the Soil-Foundation Interface respectively

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4.4.2 Discussions based on graphs plotted for clay

From Figures-4.23 to 4.34 one can observe that the dynamic stress initially increases with
increase in number of cycles and after certain number of cycles it becomes constant, this
phenomena is occurring may be because initially when dynamic load is applied on the soil
the particles rearrange themselves beneath the foundation so that to make the deformations in
the soil zero for the applied dynamic load or contact pressure between foundation and soil so
stress increases initially and after certain number of cycles the rearrangement of particles is
finished and the stress becomes constant beneath the foundation.
Also one can observe that for clay the value of stress below the edge of the foundation is
maximum and then followed by the stress at the corner and finally the stress value at the
center is minimum.

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 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSIONS

 From the results obtained from the Plaxis 3D one can observe that the Dynamic Stress
initially increases with Number of Cycles and after certain Number of Cycles it becomes
constant with respect to Number of Cycles.This phenomena is because when the
Dynamic load is initially applied on the foundation the foundation settles upto certain
limit as soil near the bottom of the foundation densifies and after certain Number of
Cycles the deformation will become zero and the Dynamic stress between soil and
foundation interface will thereby remains constant
 From the comparision of Analytical Results(from Plaxis 3D) and Experimental Results
one can observe that as Number of Cycles(N) increases the Dynamic stress calculated
analytically from Plaxis 3D coincides with experimental results.This phenomena is
occuring because during experiment in the article by A. Boumekik, S. Belhadj-Mostefa*,
and F. Meribout (2010) the soil is already compacted to a appropriate density such that
when additional dynamic load is applied on the soil through the foundation the particle
rearrangement is almost neglegible as movement of soil particles is neglegible as soil is
filled in a container, so one can observe that the stress obtained experimentally is almost
constant.So the soil cannot deform further but while calculating analytically the soil
initially deforms ideally as the software considered semi infinite medium and finally as
the Number of Cycles increases the stress distribution will become constant and
deformation becomes zero.
 From above two points one can conclude that the dynamic stress distribution will be
constant after certain Number of Cycles,thus when one must apply additional load on the
foundation in addition to the dynamic load applied one can calculate the stress
distribution beneath the soil by knowing the Number of Cycles of the dynamic load and
can estimate the maximum additional load that soil can further take without any failure.
 From above Section 4.3 one can observe that the Dimensionless Dynamic Stress beneath
the foundation is independent of the size of the square foundation.Thus when one must
calculate the Dynamic Stress for different size of foundation given the Properties of the
soil are same then,
Dynamic Stress of Unknown foundation (Kpa) = DDS * CP
Where,DDS : Dimensionless Dynamic Stress of Known foundation
CP :Contact Pressure (in Kpa)

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Future Scope :
 There are very few experiments performed regarding the Dynamic Stress Distribution
between soil foundation interface.So due to limited literature in this report only one of
the results obtained from Plaxis 3D is compared with experimental results.So if more
experiments are conducted to find the Dynamic Stress distribution all the results that are
obtained from Plaxis 3D can be compared and Validated.

 From this Report one can analytically determine the the Dynamic stress distribution for
any size of the Square Foundation only.So using similar method one can use Plaxis 3D to
calculate Dynamic Stress for different kind of Foundation Shape such as
Circular,Rectangular etc

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 REFERENCES

[1] Boumekik,A .,Belhadj-Mostefa,S .,Meribout, F., et al. (2010). Experimental analysis

of the dynamic stress distribution at the soil foundation interface, Asian journal of
civil engineering (building and housing) vol. 11, no. 5 (2010) pages 575-583.

[2] Plaxis 3D Tutorial Manual , 2016 ,Netherlands.

[3] Plaxis 3D. Reference Manual , 2016,Netherlands.

[4] Gulhati, Shashi K ., Manoj Datta., et al. (2005). Geotechnical Engineering ,Tata
McGraw Hill Private Limited.

[5] IS 456 (2000). Plane and Reinforced Concrete Code of Practice, 4th Edition, India.

[6] Das, Braja M., et al. (2007). Principles of Foundation Engineering, 7th. ed.,Stanford.

[7] Arora K, R., et al. (2004). Soil Mechanics And Foundation Engineering, 6th.
ed(revised) ., Standard Publishers Distributors, Delhi-110006.

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