Soil Friction/Sliding and effect of Soil Pressure?

[rikmayall]

I am considering a mass conc. pad foundation for a small framed open sided building (designed as freestanding walls/canopy roof). Wind dictates the design and therefore there are quite large horizontal shear values at the supports.

I am taking a friction (μ) value of 0.3, and the base is struggling in sliding. Can I take into account the weight of soil pressure on the foundation as resisting the sliding?

 

[mewoods6]

Yes, you can typically take into account the passive soil force on the foundation. This value is usually pretty small. Other possible solutions may be to use a base key or increase the width of the foundation.

 

[mewoods6]

I just read your post more clearly, and yes I have seen the overburden used to resist the sliding force, but I typical ignore it as you have no control on any change of grading over the life of the building.