EVALUATING SUPERPOSITION _??_S IN BEARING CAPACITY FACTORS FROM SOKOLOVSKI'S METHOD OF CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The superposition errors in bearing capacity factors, which are inherently involved in Terzaghi's bearing capacity formula, are examined based on the numerical analyses assuming the method of characteristics developed by Sokolovski (1960). The numerically calculated values of the bearing capacity factors obtained from the present study are compared with the classical formula by Terzaghi (1943) and the revised formula by Hansen (1970), and it is found that the superposition errors lie within tolerable limits for most practical applications.