Numerical modelling on the behavior of strip shell footings placed on reinforced slopes

Optimal use of construction materials takes center stage in engineering problems so much so that new techniques are daily proposed. Application of shell footings with various geometries are good cases in point in the novel system of foundation engineering. This study aims to present a numerical simulation of laboratory model tests by FLAC 3D software, developing an understanding of the behavior of shell strip footing located at the adjacent of unreinforced and geotextile-reinforced slopes. In this regard, bearing capacity and settlement of the shell foundations by considering contributory factors, notably apex angles, distances of the footings from the crest of the slope namely "edge distance", slope angle, stiffness of the footing core in shell footings, and reinforcement status were studied. The results indicated that the ultimate bearing capacity of foundations increases with decrease of apex angle and increase of footings edge distance. It was also observed that the core in shell footings plays a key role in stress transfer though the foundation depth so that dense soil among the others brought about the highest bearing capacity. At the end, the applicability and interpretation of the obtained results for prototype model were discussed.