Increasing the Performance of Ring Foundation to Lateral Loads by using a Skirt Foundation

Abstract

In numerous engineering foundation designs, the influence of lateral loads is frequently underestimated in calculations. Consequently, recent studies have increasingly concentrated on comprehending the behavior of soil and foundations when subjected to lateral load influences. The present study aims to examine the performance of ring foundations, a common engineering solution employed in the construction of tall and slender structures that are vulnerable to lateral loads, such as those exerted by wind forces. The objective of this study is to enhance the lateral resistance of ring foundations by incorporating skirt foundations. The efficacy of skirt foundations was evaluated through a series of tests conducted on sandy soils of varying densities, ranging from dense to medium loose sand. Subsequently, lateral loads were applied to the ring foundations, both with and without skirt foundations. The results demonstrated that the lateral resistance increased in proportion to the ratio between the inner and outer diameters. Furthermore, the improvement rate was enhanced by the addition of the skirt foundation. Additionally, the lateral resistance increased with increasing the skirt foundation depth, reaching a maximum of approximately 50-100%. Similarly, an increase in the skirt inclination ratio to 450 resulted in a lateral resistance increase of up to 650%.