A Model Study of Dynamically Loaded Square Footings on Dry Sand

A Model Study of Dynamically Loaded Square Footings on Dry Sand
Author: Jack K. Poplin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 114
Release: 1969
Genre: Engineering models
ISBN:

The investigation reported herein was undertaken to develop an approach to modeling displacements of surface and shallow-buried footings on dry sand subject to high-intensity, single-pulse loads. A hypothetical shallow-bured structure with an isolated footing loaded by airblast overpressure produced by detonation of a nuclear weapon was assumed for design of load pulses on nine model footings used: footing widths of 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 in. and depth-of-burial to footing width ratios of 0, 0.5, and 1.0. The principles of similitude were used to scale length, force, and time in the models. The models were placed in mobile test bins of uniform, fine, dry sand (90 percent relative density) and subjected to dynamic and static loading. Nondimensional load-displacement relations dependent only on depth-of-burial ratio were developed relating maximum displacement to peak dynamic load, footing width, and soil shear strength gradient. When the dynamic response of the footings in the form of reaction-displacement curves was compared with static response, an increase in initial stiffness and ultimate strength was observed for dynamic loading. However, these dynamic increases were greatest when the static shear strength was lowest, i.e. footings on the surface, and were least for footings buried at a depth equal to its width where the static overburden produced a substantial increase in shear strength. (Author).

Model Study of the Response of Silo-type Structures in Dry Sand Under One-dimensional Plane Wave Loading

Model Study of the Response of Silo-type Structures in Dry Sand Under One-dimensional Plane Wave Loading
Author: Edward Belk Perry
Publisher:
Total Pages: 398
Release: 1973
Genre: Blast effect
ISBN:

Froude modeling, where strength and modulus properties and surface overpressure scale as the length scale, is a potential method for determining the structural response of underground protective structures at overpressures in excess of existing laboratory devices provided the strength and modulus properties can be adequately scaled. The results of this study indicated that Froude model tests on silo-type structures in dry sand under one-dimensional plane wave loading could predict the loading response of a prototype constructed using a length scale of three. The primary contribution of this study was to focus attention on the necessity of scaling the unloading soil moduli if Froude modeling is to successfully predict the time-history of a soil-structure system whenever the characteristics of the problem (loading, geometry, etc.) are such that unloading occurs in the soil.

Effect of Saturation on Dynamic Response of Footings in Sand

Effect of Saturation on Dynamic Response of Footings in Sand
Author: Jack K. Poplin
Publisher:
Total Pages: 42
Release: 1970
Genre: Foundations
ISBN:

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of saturation of dense sand on the response of square footings to nuclear blast-type loading. Tests were conducted with footings on the surface and at a depth of burial equal to the footing width with a water table coincident with the plane of the footing. The results of these tests were compared with data from similar tests on dry sand from a preceding study. Saturation of dense sand had the effect of reducing maximum displacement. The displacements of surface footings were only about 30 percent of the displacement of footings on dry sand with equivalent soil density and loading condition, and the displacement of shallow buried footings was reduced by 50 percent. Empirical load-displacement curves developed from previous studies on dry sand were shown to be conservative when used to predict the response of footings on saturated dense sand. The primary difference in response occurred after peak reaction. The footings on saturated dense sand came to rest immediately, while footings on dry sand continued to displace for some short distance. This behavior was attributed to the development of transient negative pore pressures resulting from dilation of the sand. A similar laboratory investigation on a medium-density sand is recommended in order to determine whether or not any tendency toward liquefaction may occur at the lower end of the range of densities of interest for protective structure foundations. (Author).