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Comparison of bearing capacities of undisturbed organic soils by empirical relations and 2D finite element analysis

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Abstract

Many difficulties arise in organic soils due to low bearing capacity, very high compressibility, and high-water content, challenging engineers and researcher engaging in geotechnical studies. Also, the effects of mechanical disturbance of specimens in obtaining different geotechnical properties of soils are one of the most complex issues in geotechnical studies. The laboratory model tests under vertical load for determining ultimate bearing capacity of footing were carried out on the surface of organic soils to avoid the effects of the sampling disturbance to perform experiments in field condition. Block samples obtained from inspection pit using the big size test box sampler were considered high sample quality according to different methods. In the present study, large-sized undisturbed samples were obtained to determine bearing capacity organic soils. The results of loading tests were compared with results of the empirical methods available in literature, proposed for the prediction of bearing capacity, and two-dimensional finite element analysis results. The undisturbed organic soil samples obtained as natural formations were transported to laboratory for testing, and thereafter the loading tests were carried out on twenty-one box samples. Also, the index and engineering tests were performed on undisturbed samples. The organic soil samples were collected from Kayseri Free Trade Zone and Organized Industrial Zone area of Turkey for this study. Except for the hyperbolic model, the ultimate bearing capacity values obtained with different methods based on the results of experimental investigation are compatible with finite element results and empirical methods.

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Funding

This study was funded through the Scientific Research Projects of Erciyes University (Project No. FYL-2017-2490).

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  1. Geotechnical Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kayseri, Turkey

    Zülküf Kaya & Aykut Erol

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  1. Zülküf Kaya
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Kaya, Z., Erol, A. Comparison of bearing capacities of undisturbed organic soils by empirical relations and 2D finite element analysis. Arab J Geosci 14, 1975 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-08364-w

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