Experimental Investigation of Various Shell Footings in Cohesive and Cohesionless Soil

The increasing demand of infrastructure development leads to the usage of sandy soils; which possess low bearing capacity. In this regard, this study is to provide a novel solution to counteract the problems faced by the weak soil. The experimental study was carried out on both Flat and Shell models with the corresponding Triangular, Square and Hexagon shapes for both loose and medium dense condition. The models were compared based on their equal plan area. To carry out the experimental work, a model tank of cylindrical shape of dimensions of 50cm diameter and 50 cm height is used. Vertical load were applied to the models and the corresponding settlement were observed. The ultimate load carrying capacity of footing models was calculated and plotted by the load versus settlement graph. From the results, Improvement factor on vertical load carrying of Flat Square footing is 1.75 on loose sand. In dense sand the improvement factor of Flat Square is 1.67. The efficiency of pyramidal shell is 75% and 66.7% on counter flat footing on loose sand and dense sand condition respectively. The settlement characteristic of triangular shell is better than other models on both loose and medium dense conditions. The load carrying capacity and efficiency of square footing having more value among other footing models for both low and medium consistency of clay. In sand the efficiency of shell is greater than in clayey soil, so the shell footings performing better way in sandy soil.