Evaluation of bearing capacity calculation of raft foundations with finite element and analytical methods

One of the important conditions to be considered in the design of foundations is the bearing capacity. Boundary bearing strength is affected by parameters such as angle of internal friction, cohesion, soil unit volume weight, foundation depth, foundation shape, groundwater level and is generally calculated with the help of theories evaluating these parameters. Nowadays, in parallel with the development of computer technologies, applications of engineering designs with finite element methods are becoming more and more widespread. In geotechnical engineering, with the help of methods applied in field studies and data obtained from experimental studies in laboratories, the use of numerical methods in very complex designs has become a necessity. In this thesis, the bearing capacity analysis of raft foundations resting on loose soil units is carried out both analytically and numerically. Finite element method is used to analyze the stress-displacement relationship with elastic-plastic model. The bearing capacity values obtained from numerical and analytical methods are compared with each other and their similarities and differences are discussed.