Abstract
An analysis of settlements of cyclically loaded shallow foundations on air dry, non-cohesive compacting subsoil is presented. The starting point of the study was the results of experimental tests performed on a model foundations. It was assumed that the settlements are caused mainly by an oedometric compaction which takes place in a small zone beneath the foundation. The range of the compaction zone is estimated on the basis of some empirical observations. Settlements of the foundation are described within the framework of the simple compaction theory presented in this paper. The compaction law proposed suggests that there exists a common compaction curve which can be recognised as a material characteristic for non-cohesive soils. This idea is supported by the experimental results presented in this paper. This theory was applied to the analysis of some laboratory tests. A comparison of experimental and theoretical results shows that the method proposed may be applied to estimate settlements of cyclically loaded foundations with an accuracy sufficient for engineering practice.
