article · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
This research evaluates the mechanical interactions between two closely placed shallow foundations resting on soft clay soil. Using the Cast3m numerical simulation software, a geometric and mechanical model representing a real-world scenario was developed to study how vertical and horizontal spacing affects foundation settlement. The simulations revealed an exponential relationship between space separation and settlement behaviour. When the ratio of separation distance to foundation base width reaches or exceeds 0.7, the interaction between the two foundations ceases entirely. Conversely, when foundations are positioned closer together, horizontal displacements increase significantly at their outer extremities, causing the closely spaced footings to act structurally as a single foundation unit. This work provides critical baseline data on soil-structure interactions in clay soils, contrasting with existing literature that primarily examines sandy soils.
When buildings are constructed close to each other, their foundations can interfere with one another, causing unintended settling and structural damage. Understanding how clay soil behaves under neighbouring footings allows engineers to space structures safely and avoid costly foundational failures during and after construction.
This research provides numerical insights directly relevant to civil engineers and structural designers during the early design and analysis phases of building projects. It sits at an early, simulative stage of research, offering design guidelines on safe footing separation in soft clay rather than a commercial product or proprietary technology.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Foundations are designed to receive both imposed loads and superimposed loads and evenly distribute these loads to the bearing soil. Construction of load bearing elements can necessitate that two shallow foundations should have a close proximity. This close proximity gives birth to interactions studied numerically in this article. This study investigates the influence of horizontal and vertical space separation on the settlement of the foundations in soft clay soil. In this study, the Numerical method of research Cast3m was used. A geometrical model with mechanical characteristics to translate exactly a real case was built. At the end of the simulation, the space separation versus settlement behavior followed an exponential increase whereby, beyond a space separation to base ratio greater than or equal to 0.7 there was no interaction. The closer the two foundations, the more the horizontal displacements at the extremities of both foundations-both foundations tend to function like a single footing when they are closely spaced. This study is a breakthrough in foundation interactions for the case of clay soil as many researchers have concentrated their studies on sandy soil. Civil Engineers, Architects should consider the effect of space separation influence carried out in this study when doing conception and analysis of structures.
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DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.3.0675
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