Análisis de la capacidad de carga última del suelo para cimentaciones superficiales mediante métodos analíticos y elementos finitos

Abstract

This article examines the ultimate bearing capacity of soil for shallow foundations using analytical methods and finite element simulations conducted in the software (MIDAS GTS NX). The software results are compared with analytical methodologies proposed by researchers such as Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen, Vesic, Chen, and Balla. For the analysis of the analytical methods, various soil samples are employed, considering geotechnical properties such as cohesion (c), friction angle (Ø), unit weight (ɣ), and elastic modulus (E). These parameters are fundamental for calculating the soil's ultimate bearing capacity. The numerical models were developed using the Mohr-Coulomb constitutive model, which analyzes soil behavior under applied loads, and the linear elastic constitutive model for shallow foundations. To validate the results of the soil's ultimate bearing capacity, three types of models were developed: physical model, numerical model, and analytical models, based on an undisturbed soil sample extracted from the Guamaní area, located south of Quito. Triaxial tests, moisture content determination, specific gravity, and plasticity index tests were conducted in the soil mechanics laboratory to obtain the soil's geotechnical properties. Using the results obtained from the different models, a comparative analysis was performed to determine which analytical methodology closely aligns with the results generated by the numerical model and the physical model.