EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION AND NUMERICAL MODELLING OF FOUNDATION BEHAVIOUR ON DTU SOIL USING PLAXIS 2D

Abstract

This dissertation includes an experimental and numerical study on how foundation systems perform in DTU soil using the PLAXIS 2D software. The study uses both lab tests and finite element modelling to understand how soil behaves when it's under the load from foundations. Important properties of the soil sample such as moisture content, particle size distribution, specific gravity, compaction characteristic sand shear strength, were tested in the lab. These properties were then used in numerical simulations in PLAXIS 2D with the Mohr Coulomb model. A numerical analysis was executed to examine settlement behaviour stress distribution formation patterns, mesh response, and changes in bending moments in the soil and foundation system. A comparative analysis was also done to look at how different densities of silty sand affect foundation performance. The results showed that soil density has a big im pact on settlement and how stress is transferred. Dense soil showed less deformation compared to loose soil, and it also had a better load carrying ability The contour plots and displacement profiles from PLAXIS 2D helped understand how 2D stress was redistributed in the soil mass. The study shows that combining experimental investigations with finite element modelling can effectively assess how foundation perform in different soil conditions.