Amin Keshavarz

The method of stress characteristics has been used for computing the ultimate bearing capacity of strip and circular footings placed on rock mass. The modified Hoek-and-Brown failure criterion has been used. Both smooth and rough footing-rock interfaces have been modeled. The bearing capacity has been expressed in terms of nondimensional factors N?0 and N?, corresponding to rock mass with (1) ? = 0 and (2) ? ? 0, respectively. The numerical results have been presented as a function of different input parameters needed to define the Hoek-and-Brown criterion. Slip line patterns and the pressure distribution along the footing base have also been examined. The results are found to compare generally well with the reported solutions.