Investigation of a Macro-Element Model for Shallow Foundations on Sand
Abstract
Larger and larger suspension bridges are being made. Therefore, tremendous forceswill be obtained in the suspension cable, which must be anchored. A good understandingof the response of the foundation and its underlying soil during this kindof loading will then be necessary. To calculate and understand the soil intersectionanalyses is a time-consuming process, and reduction of the calculation time will bebeneficial.
The calculation time may be reduced by introducing a macro-element model. In thismodel, the foundation and the underlying soil is represented in one single element,known as a macro-element. The number of degrees of freedom will be reduced, andgood control of the structural response will be obtained. The macro-element modelsimplifies the analyses by using only one single element to describe the global behavior,which will reduce the calculation time.
In thisMaster thesis, a presentation of the macro-element model applied for shallowfoundations on sand is investigated. Some background theory is presented togetherwith the theory concerning the macro-element model. The mechanical behavior undera foundation of sand during combined loading is investigated through both finiteelement analyses and some prototype testing. The yield surface closer to vertical capacityhas been studied, and it look like the yield surface in V-H plane is valid here aswell. Overall, the finite element analysis matches the prototype tests.