Abstract
Four series of centrifuge tests were performed using a model rock made from a mixture of sand, bentonite, cement, and water. Tests were conducted to determine the effect of horizontal and vertical discontinuities in the bedrock on the load settlement response of a rigid, shallow footing. A prototype footing, measuring 1 m × 1 m, was simulated in the study. Horizontal and vertical joints, in-filled with compressible material, were simulated by incorporating thin seams of styrofoam. Results from this study are compared to the commonly used methods used to predict the ultimate bearing capacity of footings on jointed rock mass. It is concluded that the existing methods to predict the bearing capacity are conservative for the range of design parameters studied in this research.
