Model Studies of Bearing Capacity and Failure Mechanism on Strip Footings Resting on Sand Slopes Utilizing the PIV Technique
Received: 26 July 2025 | Revised: 20 August 2025 and 28 August 2025 | Accepted: 4 September 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025
Corresponding author: Nabeel K. Lwti
Abstract
The shallow foundations constructed near slopes alter the bearing capacity, creating challenges that are different from those on level ground. In addition, distinct deformations occur within the soil beneath the footing, associated with the resulting slope failure mechanism. This paper examines a series of small-scale physical modeling tests designed to investigate the bearing capacity behavior and failure mechanisms of strip footings placed on dry sand slopes. The model tests were conducted with varying setback distance ratios (D/B) and relative density conditions. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was utilized to monitor the soil distortion patterns and the progress of the failure surfaces during loading. According to the PIV analysis results, the failure mechanism of shallow footing near slopes is significantly influenced by the footing’s position relative to the slope face. The results indicated that increasing the setback distance leads to a related linear rise in the ultimate bearing capacity (qu), with a critical setback distance ratio of D/B = 2, beyond which the influence of the slope becomes negligible at D/B ≥ 5. The failure surface geometry and displacement fields obtained from the PIV analysis closely reflect the transition from the bearing capacity failure to the slope stability failure. These findings highlight the role of setback distance and relative density on the footing performance near slopes. Furthermore, the application of PIV techniques proves to be a reliable and effective approach for observing the complex failure mechanisms, offering advantages over conventional theoretical methods.
Keywords:
particle image velocimetry, strip footing, laboratory model, footing on sand slope, bearing capacityDownloads
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