Lateral Bearing Capacity Calculations

[Dasovich]

Can anyone tell me how to convert vertical bearing capacity into horizontal bearing capacity? Or, if the vertical cannot be converted to horizontal, how do you calculate the horzontal bearing capacity? Any references would be most helpful.

We are designing a pipeline that will be anchored at the top of a steep slope by constructing a large concrete block. We need to determine the lateral bearing capacity in order to adequately size the block. Drilling piles or using anchors is not very feasible due to an abundance of boulders.

Thank you in advance.

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

I must not understand what you are building. It sounds to me like you don't need a lateral bearing, but a bearing on a footing that is inclined from horizontal. If this is the case, there are methods shown in most foundation books, you may need to look under kicker block design or interal bracing to find an example.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

I have been involved in the design of thrust blocks for pressurized, horizontal, pipeline fittings. Normally we used the vertical bearing capacity with a generous safety factor to get the assumed horizontal bearing capacity. The biggest concern is the lack of soil confinement above the bearing area. If the soil fails, the thrust block tends to "rise" out of the ground.

For your case, if possible, you may want to consider putting the block at the bottom of the slope rather than the top. The same size block will have much more resistance to movement if it is being "pushed down", into the soil, rather than being "pulled out" the side of the slope.

For references, here is a link, take a look at page 8 of the download

http://www.up.ac.za/academic/civil/...ad/courses/Day 2/Day 2 Thust block design.pdf

Also try Googling on "thrust block design" you probably will find more.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net