An innovative foundation for enhancing the mechanism of transferring vertical loads on sandy soil.

Abstract

This study presents an innovative foundation design to enhance the mechanism of vertical load transfer to the soil, thereby improving structural stability and sustainability. Traditional foundations, such as isolated footings and mat foundations, often face performance and cost challenges when subjected to high loading conditions, as their capacity to transfer load efficiently to the soil is limited. The proposed "teeth foundation" consists of a shallow foundation with multiple projections, optimizing load distribution and minimizing subsidence. This foundation is particularly suitable for structures on sandy soils, where conventional shallow foundations can struggle to cost-effectively manage settlement and bearing capacity under heavy loads without requiring huge dimensions. Using the PLAXIS 3D finite element program, the behavior of teeth foundations for different numbers of projections, projection depths, and foundation depths under various conditions is analyzed and compared to conventional isolated foundations. The study highlights the potential of teeth foundations to replace both isolated and mat foundations, offering significant cost savings and reduced environmental impact. The main finding revealed that the average improvement ratio, defined as the ratio of the bearing capacity of the teeth foundation to that of the corresponding isolated footing, was 1.48. This research contributes to the field by addressing the transition from isolated footings to more efficient foundation systems, providing valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders in construction project sustainability and performance.