Seismic bearing capacity of shallow strip footings in seismic conditions

The seismic bearing capacity factors of shallow strip footings are calculated. The approach used is pseudo-static, where the seismic effects are considered by taking into account static inertia forces. The upper-bound method of limit analysis is used. Two failure mechanisms, referred to as the M1 and M2 mechanisms, are considered for the calculation schemes. These mechanisms are non-symmetrical. M1 consists of a log sandwich composed of a triangular active wedge, a log-spiral radial shear zone and a triangular passive wedge. M2 consists of an arc sandwich composed of a triangular passive wedge, a circular radial shear zone and a triangular passive wedge. The solutions obtained are rigorous upper-bound ones in the framework of the limit analysis theory for an associated flow rule Coulomb material. These results are compared with other results.