The Modified Vlasov Model on a Nonhomogeneous and Nonlinear Soil Layer

Abstract

This study presents a novel approach to account for the soil nonlinearity of nonhomogeneous soil deposits in foundation deflection analyses in the context of a modified Vlasov foundation model. We present an extension of the previously proposed formulation by developing a new formulation employing an improved algorithm that takes the modulus degradation curves at varying strain levels into account in an iterative manner. This new model, which takes the nonlinear soil behavior into account, was first verified against a linear elastic soil model given in the literature to ensure that the new model algorithm can capture the original solution when the soil behavior is assumed to be linear elastic. Later, the experimental data reported in the literature for a specific type of dense and loose sands were used in the example analyses. Example problems were considered for different cases, which presented (i) how the model captures nonlinear behavior and (ii) the significant effect of the nonlinear soil behavior. The result of the new model was also compared with the finite element model results, assuming elastoplastic soil. The results obtained from both models match well, especially for the maximum deflection value, provided that laterally constrained sections underneath the foundation are used.