UPLIFT CAPACITY OF RECTANGULAR FOUNDATIONS IN SAND

Laboratory model test results for the net ultimate uplift capacity of rectangular foundations in sand are presented. The length-to-width ratios of the rectangular foundations were varied from 1 to 5. Tests were conducted in loose, medium, and dense sands. For square foundations, the critical embedment ratio increases with the degree of compaction of sand and is approximately the same as that proposed by Meyerhof and Adams. For a given degree of sand compaction, the critical embedment ratio increases with the length-to-width ratio of the foundation. A procedure for the estimation of the uplift factor, and thus the net ultimate pullout load for deep foundations, is presented. (Author)