Spread Foundations on Rigid Inclusions Subjected to Complex Loading: Comparison of 3D Numerical and Simplified Analytical Modelling

This paper relates results of a large number of 3D numerical models of a single spread footing over a soil reinforced by four rigid inclusions and submitted to a large set of complex loading. This numerical study using the FLAC 3D software was done under funding of the ASIRI research project in an aim to support appropriate guidelines for design of such foundations. From these models a database of displacements and stresses in any 4 piles was built. An alternate simplified approach is also described using tools commonly used for pile foundation design. All results are found to be in fair agreement. This gives credit to the use of the simplified approach for design of this kind of foundation.