Bearing Pressure Assessment of Shallow Foundation on Coal Mine Overburden Dump with Spatial Variability Considerations

This study presents a comprehensive approach to estimate allowable bearing pressure for overburden dump sites in open-cast coal mines by applying analytical and numerical methods, considering diverse data sources, and incorporating probabilistic analysis. In this regard, two dump sites from existing literature were chosen for analysis. Analytical assessment of allowable bearing pressure utilized various data sources, including Standard Penetration Test data, Multichannel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) data, plate load test results, and relevant laboratory findings. Additionally, deterministic finite element analysis, incorporating in situ material property profiles, and probabilistic analysis using random field theory and Monte Carlo simulations to model spatial variability in the dump soil matrix were performed.

The results indicate that plate load test data provided the highest allowable bearing pressure, while MASW data yielded conservative results. Deterministic numerical analysis outcomes aligned with analytical approaches, but probabilistic analysis resulted in greater bearing pressure values than deterministic numerical analysis. The generated failure patterns further support the study's objectives.