EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON LOAD SUPPORT SYSTEMS OF RUBBLE ROCK FOUNDATIONS

Abstract

In this study, we conducted a series of loading tests to investigate load support systems of a rubble rock foundation supporting a breakwater caisson. The test results show that the loading block is supported by a small number of contact points and the contact forces have a wide range of distribution. This discrete and inhomogeneous load support system of the foundation is very different from linearly distributed load support system assumed in the current design. As a result, the bottom slab of a caisson has larger bending moments than those predicted by linearly distributed load. The test results do not show a dependence of the load support system on the foundation surface roughness made by expert divers.