| Abstract: | Three constitutive models of soil are used in finite element analyses of lateral earth pressure and bearing capacity. The three models are an elasto-plastic formulation derived from the Mohr-Coulomb law, a similar model with the plastic dilatancy removed, and a strain hardening model with a capped yield criterion. Stiffness formulations are described; the non-dilatant model has a non-symmetric stiffness. The results for the retaining walls are in close agreement with classical soil mechanics, but the bearing capacity analyses greatly overestimate the bearing capacity. The patterns of motion are, however, reasonable. Reasons for the discripancies in the bearing capacity case include: (a) the elements are too stiff and do not permit sliding on discrete failure planes; (b) the bearing capacity problem is itself not well settled theoretically; (c) very fine element divisions are necessary in areas of strong stress gradients and (d) rotation of principal stresses is significant. |
