Experimental investigation of the effects of pipe location on the bearing capacity

A series of laboratory model tests were conducted to investigate the effects of buried pipes location on the bearing capacity of strip footing in cohesionless soil. The variables examined in the testing program include relative density of the sand, loading rate of tests, burial depths of pipe and horizontal distance of pipe to footing. The test results showed a significant increase in bearing capacities when embedment ratio of pipe and horizontal distance of pipe to footing were increased. Based on the test results, it can be concluded that the location of pipes and relative density of sand are main parameters that affect the bearing capacity of strip footing. However, loading rate has not considerable effect on bearing capacity.