ABSTRACT
A series of 1g model footing tests were performed on compacted sand to evaluate the settlement and bearing capacity. Compacted sand beds were prepared in a large test pit at relative densities of 35, 50 and 75% in order to evaluate footing response in both loose and dense compacted sands. The sand beds were moist and footing tests were performed at the compaction water content which represented unsaturated conditions. Square concrete footings with widths of 0.30, 0.61 and 0.91 m were tested with relative embedment ratios (D/B) of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 to determine both scale effects and embedment effects on settlement and bearing capacity. Characteristics of the sand and results of the load tests are presented. A comparison is presented of the measured bearing capacities for the different conditions and the load-displacement behaviour of the footings is presented in simple terms to allow a prediction of settlement behaviour from sand characteristics.
