Effect of Linearly Increasing Cohesion on Bearing Capacity Factor of Conical Footings in c-ϕ Soil

The load from the jack-up rig is transferred into the ground through a spudcan foundation. This spudcan foundation is mostly used in offshore drilling operations. The jack-up rig is usually triangular or rectangular whereas the spudcan is a conical-shaped axisymmetric footing. The effects, of such a footing in a non-homogenous soil, are still sparsely explored in the literature. Therefore, for a conical footing on a non-homogenous soil (with linearly increasing cohesion), the Bearing Capacity Factor (Nc) is presented in the present study using finite element limit analysis. The dimensionless parameters such as internal friction angle (ϕ), cohesion gradient ratio (m), and cone apex angle (β) are considered in this study. It has been observed that the Bearing Capacity Factor increases with the increase in the value of cohesion gradient ratio (m) and internal friction angle (ϕ) whereas decreases with the increase of cone apex angle (β).