Comparison of Measured and Theoretical Pressure Distribution below Strip Footings on Sand Soil

The paper presents vertical pressure values occurring under the center line of uniformly loaded laboratory model tests of a surface strip footing on a sand bed. The vertical pressure distribution in medium dense sand was measured using miniature pressure sensors. The experimental measures obtained from the model test program have been compared with values obtained from earlier theories. Tests were performed in plane strain conditions. Finally, the results obtained from experiments and theoretically obtained values were discussed. The results indicated that the distribution of pressure was not the same for every load level. It was found that the pressure distributions fit Westergaard distribution better at lower loads. They approach the pressure predicted by an earlier study as the applied loads reach bearing capacity values. (C) 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.